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FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

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University  Press: 
John  Wilson  &  Son,  Cambridge. 


CiDntent0* 


PAGE 

"  For  7t07ie  of  tis  liveth  to  himself  and  no  man  dieth  to  him- 
self''     9 

"  Though  I  take  the  ivings  of  the  morning'''' ii 

^'' God  is  the  Lord  which  has  showed  us  light'" 13 

^^  I  have  loved  thee  with  a7t  everlasting  love'''' 14 

^^  And  fell  oji  his  neck,  and  kissed  him'''' 16 

''^  Let  1LS  now  go  evenunto  BethlehciJi'''' 17 

'"'' Blessed  are  ye  that  weep  now"" 20 

'"''  The  Lord  oitr  God  is  one  Lord'''' .22 

"  Behold  the  man  " 24 

*'  What  aileth  thee,  Hagar  .?  " 26 

"  Let  my  prayer  come  before   Thee  :  incline  Thine  ear  tinto 

my  cry  "" 27 

"  Lf  any  vian  will  come  to  Ale,  and  hate  not .  .  .  his  own  life 

also,  he  cannot  be  My  disciple  " 29 

"  L  am  poor  and  needy,  yet  the  Lord  heareth  me  "     ....  30 

'"''  Behold,  L  stand  at  the  door"" 32 

"  And  there  were  shepherds  " 34 

"  Praise  is  comely  " 36 

"  IVe  briiig  yoit  good  tidings  " 40 

"  The  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come  " 42 

"  Out  of  the  deep,  out  of  the  deep  " 44 

*'  If  7ue  he  dead  with  Him,  we  shall  also  live  with  HiiJi  "   .     .  45 

"  Come  unto  Me  " 47 

*'^  Ajid  I  said,  Oh  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove'"' 49 

^^  What  I  say  unto  you  I  say  tmto  all,  Watch'''' 51 


vi  Contentg, 


^^  Consider  the  lilies  of  the  jield^''  .  ■ 54 

"  In  Him  we  live^  and  7novey  and  have  our  being"*^ ....  56 

"  As  the  hart panteth  " 57 

"  Lord,  what  is  ?na}i  .^  " 58 

"  Ye  also,  as  lively  stones,  are  built  tip  a  spiritual  house  "     .  60 

"  He  7)iade  the  stars  also  " 62 

"  He  hath  put  the  world  iit  their  hearts  " 63 

''^  Surely  the  bitterness  of  death  is  past'''* 64 

"  And  He  carried  me  away  in  the  spirit  to  a  great  and  high 

7?iountain,  and  showed  me  that  great  city,  the  holy  Je- 

rusalem  " ^(^ 

**  There  was  darkness  " 68 

"  It  was  the  eve  of  the  Sabbath  " 71 

"  They  we7tt  and  made  the  sepulchre  sure,  scaling  the  stone 

and  setting  a  watch'*'' ^'i^ 

"  While  it  was  yet  dark'''' 76 

'''' He  made  as  though  He  wo7tld  have  gone  further''"'     ...  79 

''Take,  eat'' 81 

'' Trust  in  the  Lord  ahuay  "^ 83 

'' Early  my  God  I  bless'"'     .     .     - 85 

"  To  know  .  .  .  the  fellowship  of  His  sufferings''''      ....  86 

'' He  gave  thanks''' 'b'^ 

"  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord " 90 

'^  Adam,  which  was  the  son  of  God" 92 

"  There  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  it  aitything  that  defileth  "  94 

"  O  let  not  the  Lord  be  angry,  and  I  will  pray  but  this  once  "  95 

"  To-day  shall  thou  be  with  Me  in  Paradise  " 97 

"  Ye  shall  be  baptized  7vith  the  Holy  Ghost  " 99 

'' I  am  ready  to  depart" loi 

"  There  is  a  river  the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city  of 

our  God" 102 

"  Maji  goeth  forth  to  his  luork  and  to  his  labor  till  the  even- 

i7ig" 104 

''  I  am  the  true  Vine,  and  My  Father  is  the  Husbandman  "  106 


Contents*  vii 


*'  Jesics  saith  tinto  her,  '  Give  J/e  to  drink  '" io8 

^^  Here  am  I ;  j^/z^  me  " no 

^^  Praise  the  Lord,  O  i?iy  soiir^ 114 

'•'' Show  me  wherefore  Thou  contendest  luith  me ''^     .     .     .     .  116 

''''  Thy  gentleness  hath  made  me  great '''' 118 

"  Jesus  saith  imto  them,  *  Children,  have  ye  any  meat  i"  "    .  120 

'' Wilt  thou  be  made  whole  ? '' 121 

''^  Behold,  a  king  shall  reign  in  righteousness''^ 123 

^^  I  will  ajHse  " 125 

"  Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead,  a?id 

Ch7'ist  shall  give  thee  light'''' 127 

"  There  was  a  sotnid  as  of  a  mighty  rushijtg  ivind,  and  it 

filled  all  the  house  where  they  were  met '''' 1 29 

"  Who  shall  roll  us  away  the  stone  from  the  door  of  the  sep- 

ulchre?^^ 131 

"  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death 

I  will  fear  710  evil  ^^ 134 

^^  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  evermore.  Amen,  and  Ameji  "  .  136 
**  Thou  thoughtest  that  I  was  altogether  such  an  one  as  thy- 

self" 138 

"  Why  stand  ye  gazing'''' 140 

^^  He  first  loz'ed  us  ^^ 142 

"  Where  two  or  three  are  7net  together,   there  a7n  L  in  the 

midst  of  you  " 143 

^^  Art  Thou  He  that  should  co77ie  ?^^ 144 

"  Verily  Thou  a7't  a  God  that  hidest  Thyself  O  God  of  Is- 
rael, the  Saviour " 147 

^'' He  dwelleth  X^YIYL  you  a7id  shall  be  Y^  you'" 150 

"  The  dove  fou7id  7io  rest  for  the  sole  of  her  foot ''^   .     .     .     .  152 

" /7i  77iyfiesh  /  shall  see  God  ^' 154 

"  O  zuretched  7na7i  that  I  a7n  !  who  shall  deliver  77ie  froi7i 

the  body  of  this  death  ? '''' 155 

"  A7id  ye  shall  take  yojc  on  the  first  day,  the  boughs  of  goodly 

trees,  brandies  of  pabn  trees'''' 157 


viii  €0ntentj3* 


"  Listen,  O  isles,  tuito  Me  " 1 58 

*'^  Your  gold  and  silver  is  cankej^ed'''' 160 

'' O  love  the  Lord'' 162 

''^  L  shall  go  to  hij7t,  but  he  shall  not  returri  to  me  "  .     ,     .     .  165 
"  For  Thy  navie's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  7nine  iniquity,  for 

it  is  great'' 167 

^^  The  Lord  is  7ny  light  and  my  salvation" 170 

"  Lie  was  parted  from  them,  and  carried  np  into  heaven  "    .  172 

"  Unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  do  L lift  up  my  soul" 174 

^'' They  tveitt  forth  to  meet  the  Bridegroom" 176 

"  And  He  said  unto  him.  What  is  thy  name  ?  and  he  said, 

Jacob" 177 

'^  LTe  doeth  all  thijigs  well" 180 

"  Righteous  art  Thou,  O  Lord,  when  I  plead  zuith  Thee,  yet 

let  me  talk  with  Thee  of  Thy  judgments" iSi 

^^  O  that  Ishmael  inight  live  before  Thee" 184 

''God  is  love" 1S6 

n  jj  j^jiQ^i  canst  believe  ;  all  things  are  possible  to  Jiim  that 

believeth" 188 

''  Master,  where  dzvellest  ThouV 190 

'' Ls  it  L  ?  and  another  said,  Ls  it  I V 193 

""  BeJiold  we  bring  y  OIL  good  tidings" 195 

"  Behold,  the  Judge  standeth  at  the  door  " 198 

'^  Till  Christ  be  formed  in  you" 200 

**  Blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen,  a7ul yet  have  believed  "  202 
'' Christ  also  hath  suffered  for  sins,  the  just  for  the  unjust, 
that  He  might  bring  its  to  God,  being  put  to  death  in  the 
flesh.  In  it  quickened  by  the  Spirit :  by  zvhich  also  Lie 
went  and  preached  7into  the  spirits  in  prison  ;  zuhich 

sometiine  were  disobedient  " 204 

Notes  and  Explanations 207 


"  For  710 ne  of  2cs  liveth  to  himself  and  710  7}ia7i 
dieth  to  himself  ,'''' 

HE  with  good  gifts  that  most  is  blest, 
Or  stands  for  God  above  the  rest, 
Let  him  so  think  —  "  To  serve  the  dear, 
The  lowlier  children  I  am  here. 

"  It  is  the  children's  bread  I  break  ; 
He  trusts  me  with  it  for  their  sake  j 
(Hunger  I  must  if  none  it  shares) 
It  is  but  mine  when  it  is  theirs. 

^^That  which  I  teach,  it  most  is  mine, 
Dear  child  of  God,  to  make  it  thine  ; 
When  thou  hast  learn'd  it,  I  shall  see 
The  perfect  meaning  first  in  thee. 


lo  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

"  That  song  I  made  it  was  not  mine, 
Nor  fraught  with  incense  for  the  shrine, 
Till,  when  thou  sang'st  it  sweetly  through, 
I  with  thy  voice  sang  praises  too. 

"  That  which  I  am,  it  is  not  mine ; 
The  earth  unto  the  moon  doth  shine — ■ 
Not  to  herself,  for  oft  her  way 
Seems  but  a  dark  and  cloudy  day. 

"  O  Church  of  God  !  my  hfe  is  lent 
For  yours,  to  spend  and  to  be  spent ; 
O  Christ  of  God  1  let  my  death  be 
Not  to  myself  but  Thee  —  but  Thee  ! '' 

Amen. 


antJ  Sacrcti  33al(ati3. 


"  Though  I  take  the  wings  of  the  mornhig.'^'' 

SWEET  are  His  ways  who  rules  above, 
He  gives  from  wrath  a  sheltering  place  ; 
But  covert  none  is  found  from  grace, 
Man  shall  not  hide  himself  from  love. 

What  though  I  take  to  me  the  wide 
Wings  of  the  morning  and  forth  fly, 
Faster  He  goes,  whose  care  on  high 

Shepherds  the  stars  and  doth  them  guide. 

What  though  the  tents  foregone,  I  roam 
Till  day  wax  dim  lamenting  me  ; 
He  wills  that  I  shall  sleep  to  see 

The  great  gold  stairs  to  His  sweet  home. 

W'hat  though  the  press  I  pass  before, 

And  climb  the  branch,  He  lifts  his  face  ; 
I  am  not  secret  from  His  grace 

Lost  in  the  leafy  sycamore. 


12  l^olg  Sonss,  (Carols, 

What  though  denied  with  murmuring  deep 
I  shame  my  Lord,  — it  shall  not  be  ; 
For  He  will  turn  and  look  on  me, 

Then  must  I  think  thereon  and  weep. 

The  nether  depth,  the  heights  above, 
Nor  alleys  pleach'd  of  Paradise, 
Nor  Herod's  judgment-halls  suffice : 

Man  shall  not  hide  himself  from  love. 


anil  Sacrtti  Ballatis,  13 


"  God  is  the  Lord  ivliich  has  shoived  2ts  lightP 

S O:\IE\VHERE,  quiet  in  the  rest  of  God, 
Live  our  dead,  the  well-beloved  dead  ; 
Though  we  seem'd  to  leave  them  'neath  the  sod, 
To  the  everlasting  hills  they  sped, 
There  they  sit,  —  the  well-beloved  dead. 

Somewhere,  in  the  counsels  known  on  high, 

Certain  as  the  southing  of  a  star, 
Stands  the  hour  writ  down  when  I  shall  die. 

O  to  go  where  all  my  good  things  are, 

Calmly  as  the  southing  of  a  star. 

Somewhere,  safely  hidden,  lost  in  light. 
Our  good  country  lies  —  Immanuel's  land; 

Earn'd  for  us  and  soon  to  bless  our  sight. 
Anchored  fast  to  God,  a  radiant  strand, 
O  my  heart's  desire  —  Immanuel's  land. 


14  5^J3lg  Sonrjs,  Carols, 


'^  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love!''* 

DEAR  is  the  lost  wife  to  a  lone  man's  heart, 
When  in  a  dream  he  meets  her  at  his  door, 
And,  waked  for  joy,  doth  know  she  dwells  apart, 

All  unresponsive  on  a  silent  shore ; 
Dearer,  yea,  more  desired  art  thou  —  for  thee 
My  divine  heart  yearns  by  the  jasper  sea. 

More  than  the  mother's  for  her  sucking  child ; 

She  wants,  with  emptied  arms  and  love  untold, 
Her  most  dear  little  one  that  on  her  smiled 

And  went ;  but  more,  I  want  Mine  own.    Behold, 
I  long  for  My  redeem'd,  where  safe  with  Me 
Twelve  manner  of  fruits  grow  on  th'  immortal  tree; 

The  tree  of  life  that  I  won  back  for  men. 

And  planted  in  the  city  of  My  God. 
Lift  up  thy  head,  I  love  thee  ;  wherefore,  then, 

I.iest  ihou  so  long  on  thy  memorial  sod 
Sleeping  for  sorrow .?     Rise,  for  dawn  doth  break  — 
I  love  thee,  and  I  cry  to  thee  ^'  Awake." 


anti  Sacrcti  Ballatis.  15 

Serve, — woman  whom  I  love,  ere  noon  be  high, 
Ere  the  long  shadow  lengthen  at  thy  feet. 

Work,  —  I  have  many  poor,  O  man,  that  cry, 
My  little  ones  do  languish  in  the  street. 

Love,  —  'tis  a  time  for  love,  since  I  love  thee. 

Live,  —  'tis  a  time  to  live.     ]Man,  live  in  !Me. 


1 6  l^olg  Songs,  ffiatols, 


^^  And  fell  on  his  neck^  and  kissed  hiin^"* 

THOU  wert  far  off,  and  in  the  sight  of  heaven 
Dead.    And  thy  Father  would  not  this  should 
be ; 
And  now  thou  livest,  it  is  all  forgiven  ; 
Think  on  it,  O  my  soul.  He  kissed  thee ! 

What  now  are  gold  and  gear?  thou  canst  afford 
To  cast  them  from  thee  at  His  sacred  call. 

As  Mary,  wdien  she  met  her  living  Lord, 
The  burial  spice  she  had  prepared  let  fall. 

O  !  what  is  death  to  life  ?     One  dead  could  well 
Afford  to  waste  his  shroud,  if  he  might  wake ; 

Thou  canst  afford  to  waste  the  world,  and  sell 
Thy  footing  in  it,  for  the  new  world's  sake. 

What  is  the  world?  it  is  a  waiting  place, 

Where  men  put  on  their  robes  for  that  above. 

What  is  the  new  world  ?  'tis  a  Father's  face 
Beholden  of  His  sons  —  the  face  of  love. 


anti  Sacrcl3  33allati0.  17 


CHRISTMAS    HYMN. 
^'^ Let  us  n 07V go  even  tnito  Bethlehem,'''^ 

O  NIGHT  of  nights  !     O  night 
Desired  of  man  so  long ! 
The  ancient  heavens  fled  forth  in  light 

To  sing  thee  thy  new  song ; 
And  shooting  down  the  steep, 

To  shepherd  folk  of  old, 
An  angel,  while  they  watch 'd  their  sheep, 
Set  foot  beside  the  fold. 

Lo  !  while  as  like  to  die 

Of  that  keen  light  he  shed. 
They  look'd  on  his  pure  majest}^. 

Amazed,  and  sore  bestead ; 
Lo  !  while  with  words  of  cheer 

He  bade  their  trembling  cease. 
The  flocks  of  God  swept  sweetly  near, 

And  sang  to  them  of  peace. 


f^olg  Snttfls,  CTaroIg;, 


All  on  the  hillside  grass 

That  fulgent  radiance  fell, 
So  close  those  innocents  did  pass, 

Their  words  were  heard  right  well ; 
Among  the  sheep,  their  wings 

Some  folding,  walk'd  the  sod 
An  order'd  throng  of  shining  things, 

White,  with  the  smile  of  God. 


The  waits  of  heaven  to  hear. 

Oh!  what  it  must  have  been  ! 
Think,  Christian  people,  think,  and  fear 

For  cold  hearts,  for  unclean  ; 
Think  how  the  times  go  by, 

How  love  and  longing  fail. 
Think  how  we  live  and  how  we  die, 

As  this  were  but  a  tale. 


O  tender  tale  of  old, 

Live  in  thy  dear  renown  ; 
God's  smile  was  in  the  dark,  behold 

That  way  His  hosts  came  down  ; 
Light  up,  great  God,  Thy  Word, 

Make  the  blest  meaning  strong, 
As  if  our  ears,  indeed,  had  heard 

The  glory  of  their  song. 


anti  Sacrrt  Ballatis,  19 

It  was  so  far  away, 

But  Thou  could'st  make  it  near, 
And  all  its  living  might  display 

And  cry  to  it,  "  Be  here," 
Here,  in  th'  unresting  town. 

As  once  remote  to  them, 
Who  heard  it  when  the  heavens  came  down, 

On  pastoral  Bethlehem. 

It  was  so  long  ago, 

But  God  can  make  it  now^ 
And  as  with  that  sweet  overflow. 

Our  empt}^  hearts  endow; 
Take,  Lord,  those  words  outworn, 

O  !  make  them  new  for  aye, 
Speak  —  "  Unto  you  a  child  is  born," 

To-day  —  to-day  —  to-day. 


20  J^olg  Songs,  Carols* 


''''  Blessed  are  ye  thai  weep  now^ 

WEEPING  and  wailing  needs  must  be 
When  Love  His  name  shall  disavow, 
When  christen'd  men  His  wrath  shall  dree, 
Who  mercy  scorn'd  in  this  their  day; 
But  what  ?     He  turns  not  yet  away. 
Not  yet —  not  now. 

Let  me  not,  waken'd  after  sleep, 
Behold  a  Judge  with  lowering  brow. 

The  world  must  weep,  and  I  must  weep 

Those  sins  that  naiFd  Thee  on  the  tree. 

Lord  Jesu,  of  Thy  clemency, 
Let  it  be  Now. 

Let  us  have  weeping  now  for  sin, 

And  not  us  only  ;  let  Thy  tears 
Avail  the  tears  of  many  to  win  ; 
Weep  with  us,  Jesu,  kind  art  Thou  ; 
We  that  have  sinn'd  many  long  years. 

Let  us  weep  now  ; 


anti  Sarreti  BallatJS*  21 

And  then,  waked  up,  behold  Thy  face, 
Who  did  forgive  us.     See  Tiiy  brow  — 

Beautiful  —  learn  Thy  love  and  grace. 

Then  wilt  Thou  wipe  away  our  tears. 

And  comfort  in  th'  all-hallow'd  spheres, 
Them  that  weep  now. 


22  J^olg  Songs,  ^Carols, 


MORNING. 

'^  The  Lord  oicr  God  is  one  LordP 

GOD,  to  men  Thy  children  shown 
A  Creator  on  the  throne, 
A  Redeemer  for  them  given, 
A  Renewer  come  from  heaven  ; 

God,  the  night  and  day  are  Thine, 
God,  my  fathers'  God  and  mine  ; 
Now  with  dawn  the  East  is  fair, 
Hearken  to  my  morning  prayer. 

God  in  heaven,  and  God  in  me, 
Let  me  serve  in  my  degree 
As  the  sun  \  and  let  me  love 
As  the  seraphim  above. 

Since  Thou  waitest  me  to  bless, 
I  will  ask  Thee  nothing  less ; 
Let  Thy  likeness  wax  alway 
In  my  soul  as  dawn  to  day. 


anti  SacretJ  Ballatis.  2^ 

Let  my  work  be  alwav  done 
As  to  Thee,  and  when  the  sun 
Sets  and  all  Thy  stars  appear, 
Still  acquaint  me  I  am  dear. 

Though  so  many  and  so  far, 
Thou  dost  know  them,  every  star 
By  its  name  —  O  !  life  divine, 
God,  Thou  also  knowest  mine. 

In  Thy  one  appointed  way. 
Pardon  for  my  sins  I  pray, 
In  the  great  name  ever  blest, 
Ask  Thee  for  the  most  and  best. 

Our  Father,  dread  and  wise, 
Our  redeeming  Sacrifice, 
Our  Renewer,  let  me  be 
Satisfied,  at  last,  in  Thee. 


24  l^olg  Songg,  Carols, 


^'-  Behold  the  many 

THOU  hast  found  me  and  I  faint,  I  cannot  bear 
Thy  light ; 
I  have  eaten  of  the  bitter  bread  of  sin  ; 
I  have  said,  ''  There  is  no  hope/'  I  am  vile  in  God's 
sight ; 
I  would  cleanse  me,  but  O  how  shall  I  begin  ? 

My  eternal  Father,  Thy  great  gift  I  despised ; 

Of  a  broken  heart  He  is  dying,  His  head  droops 
low ;  — 
O,  one  more  day  of  grace,  thou  Saviour  sacrificed ; 

O,  one  more  call,  I  —  whither  shall  I  go  ? 

My  crime  to  me  comes  home  —  the  Judge  is  at  the 

door  — 
The  voice  of  my  Brother's  blood  doth  on  me  call ; 
I  cannot  wash  me  clean  with  tears  for  evermore, 
Yet  my  stains  are  in  His  sight  who  seeth  all. 

Now  he  is  made  my  slayer,  this  my  Saviour  slain  — 
Slain   from    the   world's    foundation    He    me    ac- 
cuseth  ;  — 

Lord  Christ,  upon  the  cross  how  long  wilt  Thou  remain, 
Pierced  for  the  doomed  world  that  Thee  refuseth  ? 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis,  25 

Better,  better  for  me,  than  such  a  day  should  be, 
Falling   rocks  and  mountains   should   a  grave  af- 
ford ; 

Where  shall  I  safety  find  ?  whither  shall  I  flee  ? 

Where  hide  my  guilty  head  from  the  suffering  Lord  ?  • 

Words  from  a  dying  mouth,  love's  strange  admonish- 
ment 
"  Go  not  —  nay,  come,  take  hold  on  the  deadly  tree, 
Here  seek  where  thou  art  sought — to  thy  peace  con- 
sent, 
Thou  canst  not  covert  find  —  thou  art  found  of  Me. 

"  Slain,  and  of  thee  ;  thy  life  stands  in  My  death  re- 
veal'd. 
Look  unto  Me,  lost  soul,  look  !  thou  shalt  not  die ; 
Thy  sins  have  nail'd  Me  here  —  here  is  thy  pardon 
seal'd  : 
None  other  can  forgive,  lo,  I  forgive,  even  I.'' 


2  6  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  What  aileth  thee,  Hagar  ? ' 

RISE,  for  God  calls  thee,  leaning  down  to  bless, 
Aye  to  thy  tears  attent ; 
Why  sitt'st  thou,  dying  of  drought  all  shelterless, 
Mourning,  like  Hagar  in  the  wilderness, 
When  the  water  was  spent. 

The  river  of  Egypt  she  did  think  upon, 

Whereof  she  drank  of  yore. 
But  she  did  thirst  again.     The  white  sun  shone 
Blinding  above  her  head  —  her  strength  was  gone  — 

The  bondwoman  hoped  no  more. 

Then  she  lift  up  her  voice  and  wept,  and  He 

Above  did  audience  give. 
He  call'd  her.     Rise,  for  so  He  calls  to  thee, 
Opens  thine  eyes  a  well  of  water  to  see  — 

Drink,  desolate  soul,  and  live. 

Water  of  Life  !  God's  gift  to  man's  distress, 

When  he  lamenting  sore 
Doth  mourn  like  Hagar  in  the  wilderness  ; 
Behold  it,  flowing  and  free.  His  love  confess. 

Drink  thou,  and  thirst  no  more. 


anti  SacrelJ  Ballatis,  27 


*'Z^/  viy  prayer  come  before  Thee :  ijicline  Thme  ear 
7 into  7ny  cry^ 

NOW  the  psalm  to  heaven  ascending, 
Sighs  of  heart  are  witli  it  blending ; 
Close  together,  all  unknown, 
Each  from  each  doth  stand  alone. 
Nothing  of  our  grief  we  tell, 
Nay,  but,  God,  Thou  knowest  it  well ; 
Each  from  Thee  for  comfort  seeks, 
In  whose  ear  the  silence  speaks. 


Is  it  poverty  ?     He  know^eth, 
In  whose  light  the  hid  thing  showeth ; 
Straightened  measure,  endless  care. 
Hard  for  them  we  love  to  bear 
Left  behind  in  life's  great  plan, 
Seeking  not  for  aid  from  man. 
Thou  the  want,  the  strife  canst  see, 
The  poor  commends  himself  to  Thee. 


28  ?^0lg  SonflS,  Carols, 

Is  it  sorrow?     God,  He  knoweth, 
Up  to  whom  the  sighing  goeth  ; 
Yea,  He  knoweth,  who  doth  bless, 
Yet  not  spare  its  bitterness, 
I,  in  sorrow,  pain,  and  loss, 
Kiss  with  many  tears  the  cross  ; 
Tears  are  my  meat:  comfort  Thou  me. 
My  tears  commend  themselves  to  Thee. 

Is  it  sin  ?     Good  Lord,  Thou  knowest ; 
My  dark  places  Thou  me  showest ; 
Though  Thy  mercy  hold  me  fast, 
Nothing  can  undo  the  past ; 
I  repent  me  of  my  ways  ; 
I  go  sofdy  all  my  days  ; 
My  sinful  soul  doth  only  flee  — 
Doth  still  commend  itself  to  Thee. 

Lend  Thy  wings,  immortal  Dove, 
Bear  our  wants,  our  tears  above. 
Live,  Thou  Lord  that  didst  atone. 
Great  High  Priest,  before  the  throne  ; 
Little  of  our  griefs  we  tell, 
Thou,  O  Father,  knowest  them  well ; 
Each  from  Thee  may  comfort  seek, 
In  whose  ear  doth  silence  speak. 


anti  SacutJ  Ballatig.  29 


^''  If  a7iy  7nan  will  couie  to  Me^  and  hate  not  .  .  .  his 
own  life  also,  he  caitnot  be  My  disciple,'^ 

LET  me  hate  mine  own  life, 
That  I  led  in  evil  ways ; 
Envy,  lying,  lust,  and  strife, 

Selfish  nights  and  careless  days. 

Mine  own  life,  I  knew  not 

It  was  death  j  but  now  'tis  meet 

It  were  buried,  hid,  forgot ;  — 
Christ,  I  lay  it  at  Thy  feet. 

Let  me  lose  mine  own  life 

For  Thy  sake,  and  put  on  Thine ; 

Though  it  be  with  dangers  rife, 
In  the  ending  it  shall  shine. 

Mine  own  life  —  lay  it  low  j 

Let  me  Thy  disciple  be  ; 
Bear  Thy  cross,  and  even  so 

Live  to  God,  and  rest  in  Thee. 


30  ?^0l2  Songs,  GTaroIa, 


^''  I  am  poo7'  and  needy ^  yet  the  Lord  hear eth  meP 

WHEN  children  are  sick,  when  times  are  hard, 
(Lord,  Christ,  hear  on  Thy  heavenly  shore) 
Thou  to  my  sighing  dost  lend  regard, 
For  God  is  my  God  for  evermore. 

In  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day, 

(Lord,  Christ,  hear  on  Thy  heavenly  shore) 

Oft  am  I  troubled,  and  scarce  can  pray. 
But  God  is  my  God  for  evermore. 

When  I  lie,  bound  of  my  sins,  and  cry, 

(Lord,  Christ,  hear  on  Thy  heavenly  shore) 

Thou  wilt  me  pity,  I  shall  not  die, 
For  God  is  my  God  for  evermore. 

In  wint'ry  weather,  when  I'm  grown  old, 
(Lord,  Christ,  hear  on  Thy  heavenly  shore) 

Thy  comforts  cheer  me,  though  nights  be  cold, 
And  God  is  my  God  for  evermore. 


ant  Sacreti  Ballatis.  31 

White  as  hoar-frost  is  my  bow'cl  head, 

(Lord,  Christ,  hear  on  Thy  heavenly  shore) 

Though  I  can  earn  me  nor  warmth  nor  bread, 
My  God  is  my  God  for  evermore. 

My  strength  faileth,  my  heart  beats  low, 
(Lord,  Christ,  hear  on  Thy  heavenly  shore) 

I  must  leave  you,  my  friends  —  I  must  go. 
But  God  is  my  God  for  evermore. 


32  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  Behold^  I  sta7id  at  the  door.^^ 

ALL  desiring,  nothing  won, 
Man,  thy  day  is  nearly  done ; 
Is  the  path  of  Hfe  begun  ? 

Ere  its  waning  hour  be  o'er, 

Call  this  poor  soul  once,  once  more, 

Jesu  standing  at  the  door. 

Knock,  but,  O  !  most  patient  Lord, 
Strength  to  open  first  afford ; 
Will  to  grasp  love's  sweet  award. 

Man,  He  standeth  yet  full  fain, 
Let  not,  let  not  all  be  vain ; 
Take  the  everlasting  gain. 

Open,  bid  Him  in,  and  fall 

At  His  feet,  who  doth  thee  call ; 

In  His  mercy  stands  thine  all. 

Weeping,  kiss  the  sacred  feet, 
Thorn-crown'd  King,  Thine  eyes  are  sweet; 
Master,  is  it  thus  we  meet  .'* 


anil  Sacret!  Sallatis,  ;^:^ 

Lord,  dost  Thou  remember  me  ? 
Lord,  I  nail'd  Thee  on  the  tree ; 
Lord,  good  Lord,  I  scofPd  at  Thee ! 

O  !  my  sins  against  me  cry  ; 

0  !  my  guilt  is  deep  and  high  ;  — 

"  Peace,"  He  saith,  ^'  thou  shalt  not  die. 

"  Peace,  peace  —  all  those  sins  of  thine 

1  have  wash'd  in  blood  divine ; 

I  forgive  thee  —  thou  art  Mine." 


34  ?^oIS  Songs,  Carols, 


CAROL. 

WITH    A    BURDEN. 
^''  And  there  were  shepherds.'''* 

OVER  the  long  green  clowns,  when  I  do  wander 
After  the  ewes  and  lambs,  so  oft  I  ponder, 
"When  the  Chief  Shepherd  comes,  that  is  full  tender, 
He  will,  of  all  His  own,  true  reckoning  render; 
Them  that  give  suck  and  feed,  them  from  dust  raised ; 
Praise  the  good  Lord,  therefore. '' 

The  Lord  be  praised. 

When  'tis  a  darksome  night,  and  deep  snow  drifteth, 

When  many  lambs  are  lost  ere  the  storm  lifteth, 

I  think,  "  When  Thou  shalt  come,  though  the  dark 

bUnd  me, 
Lord,  'twill  be  light  to  Thee,  straight  Thou  wilt  find  me ; 
I,  when  Thou  call'st  my  soul,  with  light  amazed 
Shall  in  Thy  light  see  light." 

The  Lord  be  praised. 


anti  Sacreti  BaIIatis»  35 

Oft  as  the  day  comes  round,  this  drear  December, 

How  shepherds  sat  of  old,  still  I  remember, 

And  Thou  didst  send  them  news,  straight  from  Thy 

city, 
All  of  Thy  great  good- will  and  Thy  dear  pity  ; 
Glad  were  the  shepherds  then  with  glory  dazed ; 
Praise  the  good  Lord,  therefore. 

The  Lord  be  praised. 

Sing,  O  thou  favoured  earth. 

The  Lord  be  praised. 
Sing,  for  thy  Saviour's  birth. 

The  Lord  be  praised. 
Heaven  shall  not  hold  Him  long  ; 

The  Lord  be  praised. 
For  prayers  of  love  are  strong. 

The  Lord  be  praised. 
Thy  star  shall  shine  again,     * 

The  Lord  be  praised. 
Thy  King  come  back  to  reign. 

The  Lord  be  praised. 


36  f^olg  Songs,  CTarab, 


SONG   OF   PRAISE   FOR   LONDON. 

WITH    A    CHORUS. 

"  Praise  is  comely.'''' 

ON  Zion's  hill  the  sacred  dust 
Lies  bare  'neath  arid  skies ; 
From  ruin'd  walls  her  sons  are  thrust, 

Foregone  her  sacrifice. 
But  Zion's  voice  lives  yet;  and  brought 

Adown  the  ages  ring 
The  songs  of  praise  he  sweetly  taught 
That  was  her  shepherd  king. 


O  King  David  !  King  David  sang  of  old 

Among  the  little  watered  valleys  while  he  watch'd  the 

fold; 
Over  rocks  of  wild   En-gedi  when  he  sheathed  the 

sword  : 
And  would  we  had  King  David's  harp,  and  so  could 

praise  the  Lord  ! 


antj  Samti  Ballatis,  37 

I  will  give  thanks,  my  God,  O  King, 

And  of  Thy  goodness  tell  j 
Upon  the  heights  of  Zion  sing 

Thou  Hope  of  Israel. 
The  hill  of  Zion  is  right  fair  — 

A  city  of  great  fame  ; 
For  why  ?    The  Lord  our  God  is  there. 

Excellent  is  His  name. 


"  Ye  tribes  that  in  His  courts  have  stood, 
Ye  priests  that  on  Him  wait, 
O  praise  the  Lord,  for  He  is  good, 
And  only  He  is  great. 
'    Praise  Him,  thou  great,  thou  lesser  light, 
That  toil  and  sleep  control  ; 
Praise  Him,  you  angels  in  the  height; 
Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul." 


O  King  David  !  King  David  on  his  throne 

And  under  murmurous  cedars  making  dusks  on  Leb- 
anon, 

And  by  the  Jordan's  sailless  waters  sang  full  sweet 
and  clear  : 

And  though  King  David's  harp  be  mute,  let  us  sing 
praises  here. 


38  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

For  somewhat  aye  that  moves  and  yearns 

To  all  things  just  and  free  ; 
For  many  a  soul  that  inly  burns 

More  righteous  days  to  see  ; 
For  peace,  for  law,  for  gold,  for  wheat. 

And  for  His  printed  word. 
Praise  Him,  ye  throngs  in  every  street ; 

Great  London,  praise  the  Lord. 


Ye  that  her  bridges  cross  by  night, 

Where  on  the  river  play 
A  thousand  stars  from  lamps  alight, 

That  mete  out  narrower  day, 
Praise  Him,  and  say  this  river  bears 

Great  fleets  that  ceaseless  go  ; 
And  yet,  for  these  eight  hundred  years 

Hath  not  borne  in  a  foe. 


Praise  Him,  great  city  fair  and  free, 

And  helpless,  but  for  God  ; 
Nor  siege,  nor  sack  have  frighted  thee, 

Of  alien  hosts  untrod. 
Praise  Him,  and  pray  while  yet  'tis  well, 

Nor  danger  nigh  thee  waits  ; 
Pray  thy  Celestial  Sentinel 

To  guard  thy  silver  gates. 


anti  Sacteli  Ballalis*  39 

Praise  Him,  when  clash  thy  weighty  hours 

By  measure  night  and  day  ; 
Praise  Him,  while  yet  a  hundred  towers 

Ring  out  thy  times  to  pray. 
Praise  Him,  where  murmurous  fall  and  swell 

(As  of  some  wind-borne  chord) 
The  majest}'  of  millions  tell ; 

Great  London,  praise  the  Lord  ! 

O  King  David  !  King  David's  harp  rang  true  ; 

But  we  have  learn'd  a  wondrous  song  King   David 

never  knew. 
To  One  was  born  of  David's  line,  sing  high  with  sweet 

accord  ; 
For  One  who  died  that  we  might  live,  great  London, 

praise  the  Lord ! 


40  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


CHRISTMAS   WAITS. 

"  We  bring  y oil  good  iidmgs.^'^ 

First   Part. 

GOD'S  great  Gift  to  man  forlorn, 
In  a  winter  night  was  born  ; 
Angels  tell  the  glorious  tale, 
Let  not,  earth,  thy  welcome  fail. 
''  All  hail,"  and  ''  all  hail.'' 

Little  child,  how  sunk  Thy  lot ! 
Thy  great  might  Thou  hast  forgot ; 
Guider  of  all  stars  that  shone, 
Sleep,  Thy  glory  is  clean  gone. 
Sleep  on,  and  sleep  on. 

Wake,  you  friends  and  neighbours,  wake, 
And  thank  God  for  this  Child's  sake ; 
Sing,  my  heart,  the  anthem  swell, 
Since  that  blessed  birth  befell, 
All's  well,  and  all's  well. 


anti  Sacreli  Ballatis,  41 

Now  is  won  the  gift  that  we 
Lost  beneath  the  apple-tree, 
Now  is  won  the  heavenly  shore, 
Where  light  wanes,  and  life  gives  o'er 
No  more,  and  no  more. 


Second  Part. 

God's  great  Gift  to  creatures  vile 
Was  not  welcomed  long,  erewhile, 
Soon  they  sent  Him  home,  and  He 
Throudi  the  sfates  of  death  did  flee. 
Ah  me,  and  ah  me  ! 

But,  in  love  He  came  and  went, 
For  His  kindness  was  not  spent, 
Now  His  merits  aye  prevail 
Where  no  more  the  welcomes  fail. 
''All  hail,"  and  "all  hail  1" 

He  w^ent  up  to  His  ow^n  place, 
We,  ere  long,  shall  see  His  face. 
Forty  —  thirty  —  twenty  —  ten 
Years,  or  days,  Christ  Jesus  then. 
Amen,  and  amen. 


42  ?^ol2  Songs,  Carols, 


"  The  ti7Jie  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  coineP 


T 


^HICK  orchards,  all  in  white, 
Stand  'neath  blue  voids  of  light, 
And  birds  among  the  branches  blithely  sing. 
For  they  have  ail  they  know  j 
There  is  no  more,  but  so, 
All  perfectness  of  living,  fair  delight  of  spring. 

Only  the  cushat  dove 

Makes  answer  as  for  love 
To  the  deep  yearning  of  man's  yearning  breast ; 

And  mourneth,  to  his  thought, 

As  in  her  notes  were  wrought 
FulfiU'd  in  her  sweet  having,  sense  of  his  unrest. 

Not  with  possession,  not 

With  fairest  earthly  lot, 
Cometh  the  peace  assured,  his  spirit's  quest ; 

With  much  it  looks  before, 

With  most  it  yearns  for  more  ; 
And  *this  is  not  our  rest,' and  'this  is  not  our  rest.' 


anti  Sacteli  Ballabs.  43 

Give  Thou  us  more.     We  look 

For  more.     The  heart  that  took 
All  spring-tide  for  itself  were  empty  still ; 

Its  yearning  is  not  spent 

Nor  silenced  in  content, 
Till  He  that  all  things  filleth  doth  it  sweetly  fill. 

Give  us  Thyself.     The  May 

Dureth  so  short  a  day; 
Youth  and  the  spring  are  over  all  too  soon  ; 

Content  us  while  they  last, 

Console  us  for  them  past, 
Thou  with  whom  bides  forever  life,  and  love,  and  noon. 


44  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


FROM   PSALM   CXXX. 

"/^UT  of  the  deep,  out  of  the  deep, 
V_y       O  God,  I  make  my  moan  ; 

When  I  by  night  awaked  from  sleep 
Do  watch  with  Thee  alone, 

"  Be  not  extreme,  be  not  extreme 

To  mark  what  is  amiss  ; 
Forgiveness  doth  Thee  well  beseem  — 

Lord,  be  Thou  fear'd  in  this. 

"  My  soul  doth  wait,  my  soul  doth  wait 

Till  darkness  wear  away; 
My  soul  doth  flee,  I  say,  to  Thee 

Before  the  breaking  day. 

"  Trust  in  the  Lord,  trust  in  the  Lord, 
Though  yet  thy  dawn  be  dim  ; 

He  will  thee  save  from  out  the  grave, 
Redemption  is  with  him.'' 


antJ  Sacteli  Ballalis^  45 


"  If  we  be  dead  with  Hi7n^  we  shall  also  live  with  Him,^^ 

I  AM  dead  with  Thee,  and  I  remain 
Buried,  dark  beneath  the  covering  clod  ; 
In  my  heart,  O  Master,  rise  again. 
And  ascend,  as  in  my  sight,  to  God. 

In  that  great  way  draw  me  up  and  guide  ; 
,  Tell  my  soul  Thou  wilt  not  her  forsake ; 
While  I  follow,  near  to  me  abide, 

Else  O  how  shall  I  that  journey  make  ? 

It  is  long  as  life,  and  I  am  weak  ; 

It  is  great,  as  all  Thy  counsels  tell  j 
Very  glorious,  high  and  far  to  seek 

Lies  the  goal,  —  O  gird  me  for  it  well. 

All  my  burdens  I  must  cast  on  Thee. 

Use  my  riches  for  Thyself,  and  wear 
Thou  mine  honours.     Jesu,  bear  for  me 

My  deep  griefs,  and  carry,  Lord,  my  care. 


46  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

Now  must  I  set  forth,  nor  doubt,  nor  wait, 
Great  Forerunner  to  Thy  glory  pass'd  ; 

Thou  hast  pardon'd  ;  through  the  golden  gate 
O  receive  me  to  Thy  home  at  last. 


anti  S^acrcti  Ballatis,  47 


''  Come  nil  to  Me^ 

IT  is  the  Lord.     He  stands  with  thorny  crown 
That  I  did  help  to  press  upon  His  brow. 
Is  mine  a  lost  soul  ?     Nay ;  for  He  looks  down 

In  love  upon  me  sunk  into  the  slough 
Of  my  despond,  and  calls  —  O.  can  it  be  ?  — 
"  Come  unto  ^le  1  " 


"  This  unkind  world,  which  promised  all  and  gave 
Nothing,  thou  long  hast  served  it,  and  for  nought ; 

But  now  thou  knowest  its  glory  cannot  save, 

Nor  its  grace  comfort.     One  there  is  takes  thought 

Upon  thy  grief.     Myself  have  pitied  thee,  — 
Come  unto  Me  ! 


"O  thou  deceived,  and  wounded,  and  cast  by, 
Now  in  thy  poverty,  distress,  despair, 

Emptied  of  good,  look  on  thy  hope  —  come  nigh  ; 
So  look  away  thy  miseiy  and  thy  care. 

Thou  yet  shall  have  enough  and  all  good  see  — 
Come  unto  ]\Ie ! 


4^  f^0l2  Songs,  Carols, 

*'  Come  with  thy  yearning  void,  thy  deep  unrest, 

And  all  thy  sins  and  thy  deplored  shame  ; 
For  I  can  wash  thee  clean  and  clear  thy  breast, 

That  knoweth  not  yet    its   Great  Want's  greater 
name, 
My  name,  even  Mine.     Behold,  I  wait  for  thee  !  — 
Come  unto  Me  !  " 


anti  SactetJ  Ballatis,  49 


^^  And  I  said,  Oh  that  I  had  ivings  like  a  dove.''^ 

O  !  THAT  I  had  wings, 
Then  would  I  flee  away  and  be  at  rest ; 
I  would  go  up  where  rapt  the  seraph  sings, 
There  would  I  satisfy  my  soul  oppress'd. 

In  the  white  peace  above ; 
And  lay  me  at  the  feet  of  God's  great  love. 

O  !  that  I  had  wings 

Like  a  dove. 

,  Trembling  cometh  over  me  ; 
They  whom  Thou  hast  died  to  free. 
Bind  ;  whom  Thou  hast  loved,  despise  ;  — 
Aliens  each  in  other's  eyes. 

O  !  that  bitter  words  might  cease. 
That  my  portion  might  be  peace  ; 
O !  that  love  Thy  Church  might  bless, 
While  she  walks  this  wilderness. 

Woe  is  me  for  hate  and  scorn, 
Wounding  stings  of  envy  born  ; 
When  the  kneeling  saint  doth  scoff, 
What  shall  be  the  end  thereof? 
4 


50  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

Woe  is  me,  because  they  meet, 
Ay,  and  strive  at  Thine  own  feet 
At  Thy  cross,  for  us  who  bled 
Saviour ;  and  I  said,  I  said,  — 

O  !  that  I  had  wings, 
Then  would  I  flee  away  and  be  at  rest, 
I  would  go  up  where  rapt  the  seraph  sings, 
There  would  I  satisfy  my  soul  oppress'd, 

In  the  white  peace  above  ; 
And  lay  me  at  the  feet  of  God's  great  love ; 

O  !  that  I  had  wings 

Like  a  dove. 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis.  51 


ADVENT   SUNDAY.     EVENING. 
"  What  I  say  unto yoic  I  say  unto  all^  Watch?'' 

WATCHMAN,  what  of  the  night?" 
"  An  hour  is  struck  on  high, 
But  yet  is  no  streak  of  light 

In  the  solemn,  starless  sky; 
Dark  nor  the  dayspring  breaketh, 

The  world  is  drowsed  and  dumb  ; 
I  sleep,  but  my  heart  waketh ; 

When  will  the  Bridegroom  come  ?  " 

^*  He  is  gone  up,  O  bride, 

His  Father's  smile  to  see  ; 
The  wound  is  heal'd  in  His  side. 

He  plants,  for  thy  sake,  a  tree  ; 
Thy  speech  on  His  tongue  rings  sweet, 

His  countr}^  is  plain  to  view, 
For  He  brought  its  dust  on  His  feet. 

His  locks  were  wet  with  dew." 


52  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

"  Wind  of  the  South,  awake  ! 

And  thou,  O  North  wind,  blow  ! 
Move  in  my  garden,  and  make 

All  my  chief  spices  flow  ; 
Bud,  and  bud,  in  the  night. 

Fruitful  tree  and  fair  flower, 
Till,  with  shocks  of  instant  light. 

Sounds  forth  the  Brideo^room's  hour. 


^'  I  have  fed  on  holy  food. 

Thou  breakest  me  bread  divine  ; 
The  wine  of  Thy  cup  is  good. 

But  Thy  love  is  better  than  wine. 
Lord,  when  Thou  comest  to  sup, 

I  shall  know  how  this  can  be, 
For  Thyself  shall  hold  the  cup, 

I  shall  drink  of  it  new  with  Thee. 


"  Grant  me,  O  Christ,  the  grace, 

That  present  love  to  greet  ; 
Fain  would  I  see  Thy  face, 

And  lie  at  Thy  sacred  feet ; 
Fain  would  I  hear  Thy  voice 

Speak  the  language  of  men  ; 
Then  shall  Thy  bride  rejoice, 

Then,  O  never,  till  then." 


antJ  Sacreti  Ballatis,  53 

*'  Rise  up,  O  bride,  in  the  night, 

Take  thy  lamp,  and  take  oil. 
Put  on  thy  raiment  white 

The  Bridegroom  took  for  a  spo^l ; 
Prepare,  let  thy  feet  be  shod, 

For  thy  heart  doth  prophesy 
Thy  desire  is  born  of  God, 

And  is  made  thy  destiny." 


54  ?^ol2  <Sonss,  Carols, 


"  Consider  the  lilies  of  the  fields 

WHEN  through  the  meads  I  go, 
Or  where  Lent-HHes  blow, 
Or  purple  pasque-flowers,  and  primroses  pale  j 
I  think  they  look'd  e'en  so. 
When  my  Lord  lived  below  ; 
So  in  their  month  made  sweet  the  chosen  vale. 

All  tender  and  all  mild, 

A  little  two-years'  child, 
He  mark'd  them  trembling  on  the  slender  stem. 

Sweet  Innocent !  and  He 

Did  stoop,  it  well  may  be. 
Right  pleased,  as  other  babes,  to  gather  them. 

Emptied,  as  was  His  will, 

Who  erst  did  all  things  fill, 
The  Lord  that  made  them  knew  them  not  by  name  ; 

The  speech  of  heaven  foregone, 

Not  yet  had  learned  our  tongue. 
And  pluck'd  with  inarticulate  sweet  acclaim. 


anti  Sacteti  Ballalis,  55 

Lord,  when  I  stand  and  gaze 

On  the  night  heavens,  Thy  ways 
Confound  my  thought,  they  are  too  great  for  me ; 

But  wonders,  these  are  none, 

Thou  hast  them  so  outdone 
In  the  great  ways  of  Thy  humihty. 


S6  ^oh  Songei,  Carols, 


"/^  Him  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being. ^^ 

THE  measureless  gulfs  of  air  are  full  of  Thee : 
Thou  Art,  and  therefore  hang  the  stars  ;  ihey 
wait, 
And  swim,  and  shine  in  God  who  bade  them  be, 
•     And  hold  their  sundering  voids  inviolate. 

A  God  concern'd  (veil'd  in  pure  light)  to  bless, 
With  sweet  revealing  of  His  love,  the  soul ; 

Toward  things  piteous,  full  of  piteousness  ; 

The  Cause,  the  Life,  and  the  continuing  Whole. 

He  is  more  present  to  all  things  He  made-"- 

Than  anything  unto  itself  can  be  ; 
Full-foliaged  boughs  of  Eden  could  not  shade 

Afford,  since  God  was  also  'neath  the  tree. 

Thou  knowest  me  altogether  ;  I  knew  not 
Thy  likeness  till  Thou  mad'st  it  manifest. 

There  is  no  world  but  is  Thy  heaven  ;  no  spot 
Remote  ;  Creation  leans  upon  Thy  breast. 

Thou  art  beyond  all  stars,  yet  in  my  heart 

Wonderful  whisperings  hold  Thy  creature  dumb  ; 

I  need  no   search  afar ).  to  me  Thou  art 
Father,  Redeemer,  and  Renewer  —  come. 

^  Note  T. 


ant  Sacuti  Ballatis*  57 

A   PORTION    OF   PSALM   XLII. 
"  As  the  hart pantethy 

AS  the  hart  panteth,  fainting;  —  and  forward  looks, 
Urged  over  the  desert  wilds,  and  sultry  lea ; 
As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  Thee. 

My  soul  is  athirst  for  God  —  the  living  God ; 

When  shall  I  come  and  appear,  O  God,  before  Thee? 
When  I  remember  how  I  Thy  courts  have  trod, 

I  pour  out  my  soul  in  me. 

I  went  with  the  multitude,  with  joy  and  praise, 
With  such  as  keep  holiday ;  but  lo !  my  crown 

Is  trod  in  the  dust,  I  mourn  through  all  my  days; 
O  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down. 

Tears  are  my  meat,  yet  upward  my  spirit  looks ; 

Though  Thou  me  slay,  Thou  only  my  hope  shalt  be; 
As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks,     « 

So  panteth  my  soul  after  Thee. 


58  f^olg  Songs,  (ITarols, 


^^Lordy  what  is  viaii  ?  " 

WHEN  it  was  well  with  me, 
Oft  I  sent  up  to  Thee 
My  heart  in  prayer; 
Now  I  lie  frail  and  faint, 
Send  I  my  sad  complaint, 
Where  art  Thou  —  where  ? 


Answer  me,  else  undone, 
Holy  and  mighty  One, 

With  glory  shod ; 
Searching  the  starry  weft, 
Thy  garment's  hem  —  bereft 

I  feel  for  God. 


But  Thy  great  host  doth  all 
Moving,  majestical, 

Heaven's  outwork  span  ; 
Lord,  what  is  this  I  see  ? 
They  are  too  high  for  me ; 

Lord,  what  is  man  ? 


anti  Sacreti  BallatJS.  59 

Yet  Thou  didst  visit  him 
Set  at  creation^s  rim  ; 

Thou  hast  been  here  ; 
Where  Thou  hast  been,  Thou  art, 
Thou  hast  nor  past,  nor  part, 

Nor  far,  nor  near. 

Thou  art  all —  now  —  before  — 
Thy  time  is  evermore 

Set  at  to-daj; 
Thy  Spirit,  Lord,  doth  brood 
Yet  o'er  the  waters  rude, 

Forming  for  aye. 

God,  since  Thou  changest  not 
Now  is  made  fair  my  lot. 

Though  I  be  dust; 
Maker,  redeeming  Lord, 
Spirit  of  grace,  afford 

Me  a  sure  trust. 

Let  me  not  doubt  nor  fear, 
Man  had  Thy  own  Son  here. 

Pledge  of  all  grace  ; 
Teach  me  on  earth  His  love, 
Then  in  Thy  house  above, 

Show  me  His  face. 


6o  l^alg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  Ye  also^  as  lively  stones^  are  built  up  a  spiritual  house?"^ 

SUCH  as  have  not  gold  to  bring  Thee, 
They  bring  thanks  —  Thy  grateful  sons  ; 
Such  as  have  no  song  to  sing  Thee, 
Live  Thee  praise  —  Thy  silent  ones. 

Such  as  have  their  unknown  dwelling, 

Secret  from  Thy  children  here, 
Known  of  Thee,  will  Thee  be  telling 

How  Thy  ways  with  them  are  dear. 

None  the  place  ordained  refuseth. 

They  are  one,  and  they  are  all 
Living  stones,  the  Builder  chooseth 

For  the  courses  of  His  wall. 

Now  Thy  work  by  us  fulfilling, 

Build  us  in  Thy  house  divine  ; 
Each  one  cries,  *'I,  Lord,  am  willing, 

Whatsoever  place  be  mine.'^ 


anti  Sactcli  Ballatis,  6i 

Some,  of  every  eye  beholden, 
Hewn  to  fitness  for  the  height, 

By  Thy  hand  to  beauty  moulden, 
Show  Thy  workmanship  in  light. 

Other,  Thou  dost  bless  with  station 
Dark,  and  of  the  foot  down  trod, 

Sink  them  deep  in  the  foundation — ■ 
Buried,  hid  with  Christ  in  God. 


62  J^olg  Songs,  CDaroIs, 

I. 

"  He  tnade  the  stars  alsoP 

WHEN  the  ardent  sun  rides  high, 
Then  the  uncorrupt  pure  blue 
Shows  itself  a  worldless  sky  ; 
Children,  thus  it  shows  to  you. 

When  the  sun  withdraws  his  light, 
Lo  !  the  stars  of  God  are  there ; 

Present  hosts  unseen  till  night  — 
Matchless,  countless,  silent,  fair. 

Children,  oft  when  joy  shines  clear 
Lost  is  hold  of  hope  divine  ; 

Then  the  night  of  grief  draws  near, 
And  God's  countless  comforts  shine. 

As  its  darkness  deep  outbars 

All  things  else  they  start  to  view ; 

Mercies,  countless  as  the  stars  — 
Matchless,  changeless,  perfect,  true. 


anti  Sacrtti  Ballabs, 


II. 

"  He  hath  put  the  luorld  in  their  hearts.'''' 

AS  the  veil  of  broidery  fine 
For  the  temple  wrought  of  old, 
Dropp'd  before  the  awful  shrine, 
Bloom'd  in  purple,  gleam'd  in  gold ; 

So  the  broider'd  earth  and  sky, 
•     Ever  present,  always  near. 
Charm  the  soul  and  fill  the  eye  — 

Marvellous,  matchless,  beauteous,  dear. 

While  the  veil  our  God  hath  wrought 
Hangs  before  the  holy  place, 

It  must  reign  o'er  sight  and  thought, 
Drawn  between  us  and  His  face. 

When  the  veil  is  rent  in  twain 
Shall  tbe  present  God  appear ; 

We  shall  see  Him  then  full  fain  — 
^Matchless,  changeless,  perfect,  fair. 


64  ?^oIg  Songs,  (Eaxoh, 


^^  Surely  the  bitterness  of  death  is  pastP 

IT  is  not  dying  daunts  the  heart,    • 
Who  die  to  God  forget  the  smart; 
The  sick  full  oft  draw  painful  breath, 
Yet,  fear  no  bitterness  of  death  — 
No,  'tis  the  want  the  needy  feel. 
And  their  disgrace,  whom  none  can  heal ; 
Their  anguish  sore  that  walk  in  strife  — 
It  is  the  bitterness  of  life. 

Thou  hast  spoil'd  death,  Lord,  of  renown : 
Man's  life  by  man  lies  trodden  down, 
And  who  can  lift  his  heart  to  Thee, 
And  swear,  "  of  this  guilt  I  am  free  "  ?  * 
The  darts  by  lost  Apollyon  hurl'd. 
The  weight,  the  labouring  of  the  world, 
These  are  not  ours  to  bear,  yet  we 
Have  sinn'd  in  Thy  sight,  verily, — 

We  and  our  fathers  —  we  are  nought, 

So  the  world's  woe  transcends  our  thought; 


antJ  Sacrcti  Ballatis. 


But  make  us  \vise  of  heart  and  true, 
The  right  to  learn,  the  right  to  do  ; 
For  heaven  Thy  Church  aspires  and  faints, 
Sweet  is  the  death,  Lord,  of  Thy  saints ; 
But  teach  them  here  to  aid  the  strife, 
And  soothe  the  bitterness  of  Hfe. 


66  ?]^ol2  Songs,  ffiarolsJ, 


^'  And  He  carried  me  away  in  the  spirit  to  a  great  and 
high  mountain^  and  showed  fne  that  great  city,  the  holy 
Jerusalem,'''* 

WHEN  I  lie  waking,  my  heart  nigh  to  breaking, 
When  all  things  are  dark  and  cold ; 
When  my  bread  faileth,  and  fear  assaileth 

Me,  a  sinner  grown  sick,  grown  old ; 
When  no  man  careth  how  with  me  it  fareth, 

For  no  soul  doth  count  me  dear ; 
Poor,  hungry,  sighing,  a  life  most  like  dying, 

And  no  nest  in  any  tree  here ; 
I  think  on  that  dwelling  all  sweet  homes  excelling, 

And  long  there  entrance  to  win. 
O  fair,  fair  city !  Christ,  for  Thy  pity, 
Call  this  poor  exile  in. 

There  is  no  earning  with  sore  work  nor  learning, 

A  welcome  its  peace  to  share  ; 
My  God,  so  be  it.     I  should  never  see  it. 

If  the  cost  were  my  cost  to  bear ; 
My  misery  showeth,  and  well  Thy  heart  knoweth 

Nought  have  I  wherewith  to  pay : 
Nought ;  and  no  merit,  who  would  fain  inherit 

That  city  more  fair  than  the  day, 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis.  67 

Where  no  want  fretteth,  where  the  soul  forgetteth, 

Fed  with  manna,  the  bitter  bread  of  sin. 
O  most  fair  city !  Christ,  for  Thy  pity, 
Call  this  poor  exile  in. 

O  most  sw^eet  gladness,  slipt  away  from  sadness 

To  rest  in  the  long  release, 
Pluck  leaves  of  healing,  and,  safe  with  God's  seahng, 

Under  the  palm-trees  have  peace. 
Hear  blameless  angels  sing  their  sweet  evangels , 

Behold  kneeling  saints  in  the  way 
Where,  unreproved,  for  one  well-beloved. 

They  wait  in  the  cool  of  the  day. 
O  most  fair  dwelling,  all  sw^eet  homes  excelling. 

Thy  beauty  fain  would  I  win. 
O  most  dear  city  !  Christ,  for  Thy  pity, 
Call  this  poor  exile  in. 


6S  ^ob  Snngs,  Carols, 


GOOD    FRIDAY. 

*'  There  was  darkness''' 

A  MORN  of  guilt,  an  hour  of  doom  — 
Shocks  and  tremblings  dread  ; 
All  the  city  sunk  in  gloom  — 
Thick  darkness  overhead. 
An  awful  Sufferer  straight  and  stark ; 

Mocking  voices  fell ; 
Tremblings  —  tremblings  in  the  dark, 
In  heaven,  and  earth,  and  hell. 

Groping,  stumbling  up  the  way, 

They  pass,  whom  Christ  forgave  ; 
They  know  not  what  they  do  —  they  say, 

"  Himself  He  cannot  save. 
On  His  head  behold  the  crown 

That  alien  hands  did  weave  ; 
Let  Him  come  down,  let  Him  come  down, 

And  we  will  believe  1 '' 


ant)  Sacrcti  Ballatis,  69 

Fearsome  dreams,  a  rending  veil, 

Cloven  rocks  down  hurl'd  ; 
God's  love  itself  doth  seem  to  fail 

The  Saviour  of  the  world. 
Dying  thieves  do  curse  and  wail, 

Either  side  is  scorn  j 
Lo  !   He  hangs  while  some  cry  "  Hail !  '^ 

Of  heaven  and  earth  forlorn. 


Still  o'er  His  passion  darkness  lowers, 

He  nears  the  deathly  goal ; 
But  He  shall  see  in  His  last  hours 

Of  the  travail  of  His  soul ; 
'Lo,  a  cry  !  —  the  lirstfruits  given 

On  the  accursed  tree  — 
*'  Dying  Love  of  God  in  heaven. 

Lord,  remember  me  !  " 


By  His  sacrifice,  foreknown 

Long  ages  ere  that  day, 
And  by  God's  sparing  of  His  o^^^l 

Our  debt  of  death  to  pay; 
By  the  Comforter's  consent, 

With  ardent  flames  bestow'd. 
In  this  dear  race  when  Jesus  went 

To  make  His  mean  abode  — 


70  J^olg  Sons^,  Carols, 

By  the  pangs  God  look'd  not  on, 

And  the  world  dared  not  see  ; 
By  all  redeeming  wonders  won 

Through  that  dread  mystery ;  — 
Lord,  receive  once  more  the  sigh 

From  the  accursed  tree  — 
"  Sacred  Love  of  God  most  high, 

O  remember  me  !" 


anti  Sactcti  Ballatis.  71 


FRIDAY. 
"//  ivas  the  eve  of  the  Sabbath  P 

AS  on  this  day  the  I.amb,  the  Sacrifice, 
Gave  up  His  breath  and  closed  His  darkening 
eyes  ; 
As  on  this  day  within  the  tomb  was  laid,  — 
Consider  it,  my  soul,  and  be  afraid. 

And  say  not  thou,  "  He  died,  and  it  is  done," 
For  yet  He  dieth  for  man  —  th'  Eternal  Son  ; 

Slain  first,  the  Lord  of  life,  when  death  came  in, 
And  Eve  put  forth  her  hand  to  her  first  sin. 

Then  Christ,  who  was  her  life,  died  in  her  soul. 

And  still  dies  daily  as  the  ages  roll. 
Albeit  a  way  He  found  to  raise  us  more 

And  set  man  higher  than  he  was  before. 

And  was  it  once  —  but  once  —  the  King  of  Love, 
To  save  the  lost,  forsook  His  home  above  1 

Perhaps,  e'en  now,  some  other  world  astray 
Beholds  His  death  and  hews  His  grave  to-day. 


72  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

0  Thou  that  gavest  all,  I  would  receive 

All  at  Thy  hand,  and  tremble  and  believe 
Thou  dost  me  clear  of  guilt,  great  Father,  make  ; 
Now  would  I  loathe  my  sins  for  Thy  Son's  sake. 

1  ask  Thee  not  a  lenient  God  to  be ; 

Rather  to  make  me  what  Thou  lov'st  to  see ; 
Then  look  upon  me  in  my  Head,  and  know 

What  goodness  and  what  grace  once  lived  below. 

I  also  look  on  Him  as  one  full  fain 
To  grow  into  His  likeness  —  to  attain, 

Reflected  from  His  face  some  ray  divine. 

Caught  of  that  pureness  which  doth  round  Him 
shine. 

Albeit  the  copy  be  so  faint,  so  dim, 

Yet  one  day  I  shall  truly  be  like  Him  ; 

And  all  my  heart's  desire  and  all  my  prayer 
Is  at  His  feet  to  lie,  and  thank  Thee  there. 


ant  Sacuti  Ballatis,  73 


Double  Hymn. 

"  They  went  and  made  the  septtlchre  sure,  sealing  the 
stone  and  setting  a  watch.'''' 

I. 

WHO  shall  begin  the  wondrous,  wondrous  story  ? 
Tell  how  the  Lord  is  dead  —  the   Lord  of 
glory  ? 
With  reverent  fear  approach  the  sealed  stone, 
And  mourn  because  of  Him  that  lyeth  alone  ? 


We  will  begin  the  wondrous,  wondrous  story. 
They  left  Him  in  His  tomb  —  the  Lord  of  glory  — 
Enwrapp'd  with  myrrh  and  spices  of  the  dead, 
And  linen  swathed  about  His  sacred  head. 

Love's  denied  King.     Behold  Him  !  watch  ovl^  hour 
Beneath  His  closed  lids  the  death-shades  lower, 
On  His  cold  shroud  cold  costly  balms  distil, 
And  the  cold  healing  hands  lie  still,  lie  still. 


74  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


Who  shall  go  on  ?     The  Father  loved  Him  well. 
Did  He  come  down  and  enter?     None  can  tell. 
O  wondrous  mystery!  for  man  too  deep; 
The  Christ  is  dead  no  more,  He  lyeth  asleep. 


We  will  go  on,  with  reverent,  reverent  fear. 
After  the  blanks  of  death  our  Saviour  dear, 
It  may  be,  shrouded  yet,  in  saintly  peace 
Gave  thanks  to  God  because  of  man's  release, 

And  knew  He  lived  again  and  will'd  to  wake, 
Whisper'd  the  sealed  stone  and  bade  it  break; 
When,  like  a  flash  of  lightning  fall'n  from  heaven, 
An  angel  answer'd  as  the  word  was  given. 

Behold  the  Roman  guard  in  dread  affright 
Flee  from  the  quaking  rocks,  the  dazzling  light ; 
And  other  angels  light  on  His  cold  floor, 
And  minister,  and  marvel,  and  adore. 


Who  may  go  on  with  this  so  marvellous  thing. 
Love's  suffering,  dying,  living  Lord  to  sing? 
One  to  the  night  comes  forth.     Behold  !  'tis  He 
Clad  in  His  robes  of  immortality. 


anti  SacretJ  J3allati3,  75 


Since  He  was  man  —  then  man  may  think  as  man  — 
He  breathed  a  conscious  calm  ere  joy  began  ; 
A  rapture  of  deep  rest  that  nothing  saith, 
New  from  the  cold  solemnities  of  death. 

Haply  fulfill'd  of  peace  He  stood  alone, 
And  all  God's  love  came  on  Him  from  the  throne ; 
The  hovering  mystic  Dove,  it  may  be,  fell 
Upon  the  breast  of  our  Immanuel. 

4. 
But  none  can,  none  can  tell  the  marvellous  storv, 
The  thoughts  of  Christ,  the  living  Lord  of  glory ; 
Since  He  was  God,  my  God  foreknew  His  reign, 
That  Light  of  light  would  shine  in  light  again. 

Since  He  was  man,  the  warmed  night-air  dim. 
The  garden  odours  warm  were  sweet  to  Him  ; 
And  warmed  world,  beneath  whose  bowers  withdrawn, 
He  waited  for  His  mourners  till  the  dawn. 

And  said  to  them,  "  All  hail !  "  —  O,  greeting  sweet. 
The  kneeling  women  hold  Him  by  the  feet. 
Heaven's  gates  fly  open.     So  His  words  prevail. 
That  earth  for  ever  answers,  "  Hail,  all  hail ! " 


76  l^olg  Songs,  (Carols, 


**  While  it  was  yet  dark.^^ 

MARY  of  Magclala,  when  the  moon  had  set, 
Forth  to  the  garden  that  was  with  night  dews 
wet, 

Fared  in  the  dark  —  w^oe-wan  and  bent  was  she, 
'Neath  many  pounds'  weight  of  fragrant  spicery. 

Mary  of  Magdala,  in  her  misery, 

**  Who  shall  roll  the  stone  up  from  yon  door  ? "  quoth 

she  ; 
And  trembling  down  the  steep  she  went,  and  wept  sore, 
Because  her  dearest  Lord  was,  alas  !  no  more. 

Her  burden  she  let  fall,  lo  !  the  stone  was  gone  ; 
Light  was  there  within,  out  to  the  dark  it  shone ; 
AVith  an  angel's  face  the  dread  tomb  was  bright, 
The  which  she  beholding  fell  for  sore  affright. 

Mary  of  Magdala,  in  her  misery. 

Heard  the  white  vision  speak,  and  did  straightway 
flee  ; 

And  an  idle  tale  seem'd  the  wild  words  she  said. 

And  nought  her  heart  received  —  nought  was  com- 
forted. 


anti  Sactc"D  Ballatis,  77 

"  Xay  "  quoth  the  men  He  loved,  wlien  they  came  to 

see, 
"  Our  eyes  beheld  His  death,  the  Saint  of  Galilee  ; 
Who  have  borne  Him  hence  truly  we  cannot  say ; " 
Secretly  in  fear,  they  turn'd  and  went  their  way. 

Mar}^  of  Magdala,  in  her  miser}', 
Follow'd  to  the  tomb,  and  wept  full  bitterly, 
Linger'd  in  the  dark,  where  first  the  Lord  was  laid ; 
The  white  one  spake  again,  she  was  no  more  afraid. 

In  a  moment — dawn  !  solemn,  and  sweet,  and  clear, 
Kneeling,  yet  she  weeps,  and  some  one  stands  anear  ; 
Asketh  of  her  grief —  she,  all  her  thoughts  are  dim, 
"  If  thou  hast  borne  Him  hence,  tell  me,"  doth  an- 
swer Him. 

'^  Mary,"  He    saith,    no   more,  shades  of  night  have 

fled 
Under  dewy  leaves,  behold  Him  !  —  death  is  dead  ; 
"  Mary,"  and  "  O  my  Master,"  sorrow  speeds  away, 
Sunbeams  touch  His  feet  this  earliest  Easter  day. 

After  the  pains  of  death,  in  a  place  unknown, 
Trembling,  of  visions  haunted,  and  all  alone, 
I  too  shall  want  Thee,  Jesus,  my  hope,  my  trust, 

Fall'n  low,  and  all  unclothed,  even  of  my  poor  dust. 


78  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

I,  too,  shall  hear  Thee  speak,  Jesus,  my  life  divine ; 
And  call  me  by  my  name,  Lord,  for  I  am  Thine ; 
Thou  wilt  stand  and  wait,  I  shall  so  look  and  see, 
In  the  garden  of  God,  I  shall  look  up  —  on  Thee. 


anti  Sacreli  Ballatis-  79 


Double  Hymn. 

THE   WALK   TO   EMMAUS. 

^'  He  7}iade  as  though  He  woiild  have  gotte  further,^^ 


''^  I  ^WAS  at  this  hour,  upon  the  world's  great  day, 

X     Two  men  of  sorrow  went  upon  their  way  ; 
Of  bitter  death  they  made  their  bitter  moan, 
And  One  drew  nigh,  and  with  them  walk'd  unknown. 


So  draw  Thou  nigh  to  us,  dear  and  dread  Lord  ; 
So  to  earth's  mourners  sacred  hope  afford ; 
If  yet  we  know  Thee  not,  reveal  our  need, 
Show  us  Thyself,  the  dead  Christ,  risen,  indeed. 


Twas  at  this  hour  the  Sacred  Wayfarer, 

With  strange,  sweet   yearning  made  their  hearts  to 

stir; 
Then  when  He  would  go  on,  as  one  constrain'd 
Of  prayer,  ''  Abide  with  us  ;  "  return'd,  remain'd. 


8o  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


So,  Lord,  abide  with  us,  day  is  far  spent ; 
Be  Thou  constrain'd  to  this  Thy  dear  intent ; 
Hast  Thou  done  all,  and  shall  that  all  be  vain? 
Blest  Wayfarer,  reveal  Thyself  again. 

3- 
'Twas  at  this  hour  they  won  Him  to  their  board, 
And  suddenly,  behold,  it  was  the  Lord  !  — 
For  He  took  bread,  and  bless'd  it,  —  and  anon 
He  gave  it  to  them.  —  And  the  Lord  was  gone. 

3- 
So,  go  not  now  ;  abide,  and  bless,  and  break, 
'J'ill  all  our  bread  is  holy,  for  Thy  sake  ; 
O  Life,  be  Life  indeed,  true  faith  afford. 
Let  us  cry,  also,  '^  We  have  seen  the  Lord." 


anil  Sacrcti  Ballali^*  8i 


"  Take,  eatP 

THY  body  done  to  death  below, 
Thou  still  dost  freely  give  ; 
Thy  blood,  which  is  Thy  life,  bestow. 
And  in  that  life  I  live. 
Jesii,  my  Lord,  I  Thee  confess, 
Thy  love  my  heaven  will  be  ; 
Thy  care  I  cra\'e,  Thy  name  I  bless, 
'And  wish  myself  with  Thee. 


Thy  glorious  gift  to  me  make  known,' 

O  yield  it  from  above  ; 
Bless  me  according  to  Thine  own 

And  not  my  feeble  love  ; 
Thou  wilt  not  less  than  I  have  sought, 

But  more,  my  Saviour,  give. 
Albeit  Thy  promise  passeth  thought, 

In  me  to  o;row  to  live. 


■I  take  and  eat ;  I  bless  Thy  name, 
Thou  mighty  to  atone ; 
6 


82  J^olg  Sangs,  Carols, 

Live  in  my  heart,  and  free  from  blame 

Present  it  at  tlie  throne. 
Jesu,  my  Lord,  I  Thee  confess, 

Thy  love  my  heaven  will  be ; 
Thy  care  I  crave,  Thy  work  I  bless, 

And  wish  myself  with  Thee. 

Amen. 


antj  Samti  Uallalis.  83 


"  Trust  Z7t  the  Lord  alwayP 

IN  the  night  I  think  on  Thee  ; 
I  remember  me  by  day 
Of  Thy  care  ;  but  who  shall  say 
To  my  soul,  "  It  shall  not  be 
That  thou  ever  fall  away  "  ? 

I  will  trust  Thee,  who  began, 
To  go  on  with  might  divine, 
This  salvation  is  not  mine. 

I  will  trust  Thee,  lover  of  man, 
To  love  on,  and  prove  it  Thine. 

What  if  sins  I  left  for  dead 
Plead  too  well  again  to  live, 
(Lord,  0  hear  ]  O  Lord,  forgive,) 

How  shall  I  lift  up  my  head. 
Find  or  peace  or  palliative  .^ 

There  be  none,  —  but  Thou  wilt  stand, 
For  Thou  art  not  at  the  end 
Of  Thy  mercy,  and  extend 

To  me,  fall'n,  a  pitying  hand. 

Pierced  hand.  Thou  sinner's  friend. 


84  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

What  if  mind  and  thought  decayed, 
Old,  I  lose  Thee  from  my  ken, 
Thou  chiefest  of  the  sons  of  men, 

And  Thy  worth  from  memory  fade  ; 
O  !  most  loving  Lord,  what  then  ? 

Nay,  but  Thou  wilt  not  forget  ; 

In  Thy  memory  lives  my  boast; 

On  the  everlasting  coast 
Thou  wilt  meet  and  own  me  yet, 

To  the  end  and  uttermost. 


anti  Sarrcti  Ballatis. 


PART    OF    PSALM    LXIV. 

EARLY  my  God  I  bless ; 
My  God,  for  Thee  I  long ; 
Thy  love  is  all  my  song, 
While  through  the  wilderness, 
A  thirsty  land,  I  go, 
Where  no  sweet  waters  flo\w 

Amid  distress  and  strife 
I  lift  my  hands  on  high, 
Thy  name  to  magnify. 

Thy  love  is  better  than  life ; 
My  soul  doth  hang  on  Thee, 
Thy  right  hand  holdeth  me. 

^[y  soul  is  satisfied, 

E'en  as  with  all  good  things, 
When  she  Thy  praises  sings. 

Awake,  with  Thee  doth  bide  ; 
_  And  sleep  beneath  the  wide 
Shade  of  Thy  sheltering  wings. 


S6  5^oIg  Songs,  (Carols, 


*'  7^0  know  .  .  .  the  fellowship  of  His  sufferings?"^ 

O  CHRIST  of  God,  in  my  good  days 
I  found  Thee,  both  in  work  and  praise  ; 
But  now  the  cup  of  pain  I  drink 
And  fail  to  find  Thee  there,  —  and  sink. 


Sore  is  the  weight  doth  on  me  lie, 
Jesu,  I  shall  not  live  but  die  ; 
Thee  have  I  loved,  yet  fear  is  no^v, 
And  though  Thou  didest,  I  find  not  how. 

In  toil  for  Thee  in  holy  strife 
Thy  death  was  hid  from  me  by  life  ; 
Now  sinks  my  heart,  now  fails  my  breath, 
Thy  life  is  hid  from  me  by  death. 

I  faint,  and  at  Thy  Cross  lie  low  ; 
There  is  no  resting,  Lord,  but  so  ! 
The  abhorred  nails  my  lips  do  meet, 
My  arms  embrace  Thy  bleeding  feet. 


ant!  Sacteti  BaltatJS.  87 

O  depth  of  pain  :  forget,  my  soul, 
Thy  Utile  part ;  behold  the  whole. 

0  Christ,  Thy  thorns  have  wounded  me, 
Of  Thee  redeemed,  I  bleed  with  Thee. 

What  dost  Thou  tell  me,  dying  Lord, 
Am  not  I  near  to  heed  Thy  w'ord  ? 

1  mourn  for  God,  I  make  my  cry 
In  union  with  Thy  death  to  die. 

My  soul  drawn  nearer  sweetness  finds  ; 
The  fellowship  of  suffering  binds  ; 
In  this  dark  hour  Thou  teachest  me 
My  soul  is  in  the  dark  —  w'ith  Thee. 

I  will  lay  hold,  O  death  divine, 
Till  all  my  will  is  lost  in  Thine  ; 
Till  grief  a  balm  in  union  prove, 
And  sufferino^  be  assua^^ed  with  love. 


f^olg  SnnrfS,  Carols, 


^'  He  gave  thanks,''' 

OUR  Saviour  fear'd  the  suff'ring  that  should  be, 
The  sorrow  welling  up  —  a  mighty  sea, 
The  shame  and  passion,  the  last  agony, 

And  death's  cold  blanks  ; 
But  yet  He  took  the  bread  while  they  did  sup, 
And  —  all  His  will  to  God's  will  given  up^— 
He  bless'd  it ;  then,  my  soul,  He  took  the  cup, 
And  He  gave  thanks. 

Ay,  He  gave  thanks  ;  look'd  on  His  symbols  true, 
The  broken  body  and  shed  blood  ;  He  knew  — 
Wonderful  love  !  —  how  near  the  trial  drew 

He  must  endure. 
God's  will  reveal'd  for  deepest  suffering  stood, 
He  took  it,  blessing  it  as  very  good. 
And  seal'd  it  willingly  with  His  best  blood 

To  make  it  sure. 


Great  Gift  of  God,  stand  yet  in  our  poor  stead. 

For  1'hine  own  pierced  iinnds  and  thorn-crown'd  head. 


anti  SacrelJ  33allatis. 


For  Thine  own  body  glorious  from  the  dead 

Beyond  the  banks 
Of  that  cold  river ;  all,  whose  cold  is  o'er, 
Give  thanks.     Stand  sweetly  on  Thy  happy  shore 
And  bless  this  bread ;  and  for  this  wine,  once  more, 

Jesus,  give  thanks. 

Note  2. 


90  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  Cast  thy  burden  tip  on  the  LordP 

I    CAST  my  cares  on  Thee, 
Thou  wilt  not  refuse  them ; 
I  cast  my  cares  on  Thee, 

Not  that  I  may  lose  them. 
But  that  Thou  may'st  take  them, 
And  Thine  own  cares  make  them. 
Think,  O  Lord,  on  me. 

(My  babes,  my  dear  distress, 
At  Thy  feet  I  leave  them ; 

I  must  go  — but,  bless. 

Saviour,  and  receive  them  ; 

Nought  they  heed  my  weeping, 

Take  to  Thine  own  keeping, 

My  children  fatherless.) 

I  cast  my  pains  on  Thee  ; 

When  I  cross  the  river, 
Oh  near  for  love's  sake  be. 

Thou  one  comfort  giver  ; 
Pity  my  sore  sighing. 
Loose  my  bands  in  dying  — 
Stand  and  look  on  me. 


anti  Sacrcti  Ballatis.  91 

I  cast  my  soul  on  7'hee, 

With  her  stains  and  sorrow ; 
I,  ransom'd,  look  to  see 

A  holy,  long  to-morrow. 
Thou  that  failest  never, 
I  cast  all  for  ever 

On  Thy  clemency. 

Ay,  all  my  cares  on  Thee, 

Thou  wilt  not  refuse  them  ; 
Ay,  all  my  cares  on  Thee, 

Not  that  I  may  lose  them, 
But  that  Thou  may'st  take  them, 
And  Thine  own  cares  make  them. 
Think,  O  Lord,  on  me. 


92  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


^'  Adam,  which  was  the  sojt  of  GodP 

THY  son,  Adam,  was  red  clay 
Yet ;  —  but  Thou  didst  see  our  day  ; 
All  foreknown  the  ages  rise, 
And  with  God  is  no  surprise  ; 
No-way  thwarted  was  Thy  plan 
When  the  serpent  tempted  man. 

Goodness  that  was  never  soil'd, 
Wisdom  that  was  never  foil'd, 
Let  it  now  mankind  suffice 
Once  to  have  been  in  Paradise, 
Seeing,  O  God,  it  cannot  be 
That  the  serpent  conquer'd  Thee. 

Mourning,  sinning,  dying,  dust, 
Holy  Slayer,  in  Thee  we  trust ; 
Thy  good  children  fell  —  but  all 
Heaven  sang  of  rising  after  fall  ; 
While  TliQu,  Triune  God,  didst  sit 
And  behold  and  suffer  it. 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis,  93 

Otherwhile  and  otherwhere, 
Neighbour  countries  of  despair, 
Knov/  man's  sighing  and  the  weight 
Of  his  toil  outside  the  gate  ; 
Drink  his  blood,  cover  his  head 
'Neath  their  sward  when  he  is  dead. 

But  when  time  is  aged  grown 
That  great  mystery  shall  be  known  ;  — 
At  the  world's  foundation  slain 
Known  the  Lamb  that  lives  again, 
And  the  grace  He  did  conceive 
When  the  serpent  tempted  Eve. 


94  1^ol2  «Songs,  Carols, 


"  There  shall  /;/  7to  wise  enter  into  it  anything 
that  dejilethy 

OZION  on  the  sacred  hills, 
Fair  mystery  of  mysteries  ! 
The  noon  of  God  her  presence  fills, 
The  city  of  our  solemnities. 

0  shall  I  up  her  pathways  wend, 

And  hear  afar  the  rapt  strange  hymn, 
Where  shooting  rainbow-lights  ascend 
Above  the  chanting  seraphim  ? 

FTer  golden  gates  all  ills  outbar; 

The  shining  river  through  her  fleets 
In  palmy  shade  ;  and  angels  are 

The  common  people  of  her  streets. 

1  know  not  how,  if  unaware 

I  met  the  Christ  'neath  some  fair  tree, 
To  hear  Him  speak  my  soul  could  bear. 
Nor  die  of  joy  and  no  more  be. 

But  since  Thou  knowest,  who  dost  afford 
This  boon  above  all  other  grace, 

I  trust,  even  I,  to  see  the  Lord, 
And  bear  the  beauty  of  His  face. 


anti  SacretJ  Ballatis^  95 


"(9  let  not  the  Lord  be  angry ^  and  I  will  pray  but 
this  onceP 


EMPTIED  of  good,  with  many  cares  oppress'd, 
Full  oft  I  long  to  cast  them  on  Thy  breast ; 
But  not  that  I  may  lose  them,  Love  Divine, 
O  rather  craving  Thou  wouldst  count  them  Thine.    « 

They  are  not  cares  for  my  poor  wants  nor  loss  ; 
Their  sorrows  —  whom  I  love  —  are  my  worse  cross  : 
Do  as  Thou  wilt  with  me,  all  shall  me  please, 
Only  be  gracious,  Perfect  Love,  to  these 

Whose  souls  I  thus  present  before  Thy  Throne. 
It  is  not  hard  to  trust  Thee  with  mine  own  — 
But  these  —  they  mourn  for  griefs,  they  may  not  flee, 
And  I  can  tell  them.  Lord,  to  none  but  Thee. 

0  might  I  pray,  "  Do  Thou  as  I  would  do 

For  those  I  love  —  were  my  love  strong  as  true," 
But  who  may  ask  Thee  thus,  though  long  withstood. 
He  mourneth  after  God  and  after  good  ? 

"  As  I  would  do."     Ah  !  now  methinks  I  hear 
Thy  comforting,  kind  voice,  my  Lord,  most  dear  ; 

1  feel  Thy  grace,  Thy  sweetness  on  me  shine  — ■ 
Poor  is  my  treasure-store  of  love  to  Thine. 


96  J^olg  Songs,  CCarots, 

What  wouldst  thou  have  me  learn? — my  trust,  my  all; 
I  call  down  blessings  —  grief  and  trouble  fall  — 
And  yet  Thy  heavenly  whisper  teacheth  me 
Love  is  of  God,  and  mine  is  born  of  Thee. 

There  is  but  one  love,  and  its  will  is  one ; 
But  Thy  love  seeth  all  things  —  my  love  none. 
Mine  eyes  are  held,  for  so,  and  only  so, 
My  love  would  cast  their  lot,  if  I  might  know. 

Then  take,  Lord,  on  Th37self  my  load  of  care, 
Kind  to  my  fear,  and  gentle  with  my  prayer; 
With  these  it  shall  be  well,  my  rest  is  one. 
Because  Thou  lov'st  them  most  —  Thy  will  be  done. 

Note  3. 


anti  Sacretj  33allati0*  97 


THE   BROODING   OF   THE  DOVE. 


"  To-day  shalt  thou  be  with  Me  in  Paradise,'*'^ 

THOU,  when  the  dying  Jesu  bled, 
Didst  mourn  upon  Him  hard  bestead, 
And  when  His  Spirit  He  set  free, 
In  death  didst  gather  it  to  Thee, 
And,  folded  to  Thy  hallow'd  breast, 
Didst  bear  it  to  a  place  of  rest, 
And  show  unto  all  saints  that  wait 
In  the  country  of  souls  separate. 

There  didst  Thou  move  them,  and  they  rose 
i\t  this  great  Coming,  from  repose  ; 
Look'd  on  Love's  advent,  knew  Love's  claim, 
And  learn'd  at  last  Love's  mighty  name  ; 
While  Aaron's  priests,  of  Thee  made  wise, 
Approached  th'  Eternal  sacrifice  \ 
And  seers  attain'd  by  Thee  reveal'd 
The  mystery  of  their  visions  seal'd. 
7 


98  J^alg  Songs,  (Earolg, 

Behold  Him,  erst  so  dimly  shown, 
One  that  was  wounded  of  His  own  ; 
Behold  Him,  stricken  for  man's  need. 
The  afflicted  God,  the  woman's  seed ; 
The  Angel  of  the  Presence  dread 
Who  spake  in  dreams  at  their  bed's  head ; 
The  Captain  at  His  watch  all  night, 
The  wrestler  until  morning  light. 

Day  breaks,  for  now  the  wrestler  stays  — 
The  morning  star  reveals  its  rays ; 
A  blest  to-morrow  waited  long 
Through  eons  dimm'd  with  evensong. 
Among  the  ransom'd  souls  at  rest 
The  Spirit  of  the  Christ  is  blest. 
And  far  and  fast  the  shadow  flies, 
To-morrow  dawns  in  Paradise. 

The  dying  thief  beholds  that  ray 
For  him  the  promised,  blest  "  to-day  ; " 
Light  of  all  worlds  whose  earliest  sheen 
Is  given  to  Hades  "  the  unseen." 
Peace,  peace,  our  song  shall  be  of  peace ; 
O,  suffering  Love,  Thy  troubles  cease, 
The  holy  dead  receive  the  word. 
And  rest  to":elher  with  the  Lord. 


anti  SaculJ  Ballatis.  99 


THE   BROODING   OF  THE   DOVE. 

IL 

"  Ye  shall  be  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost P 

ASCENDED  to  His  Father's  throne, 
The  Christ  was  gone  from  mortal  view : 
He  left  a  promise  with  His  own, 

"  The  Comforter  shall  come  to  you." 

And  opening  on  His  earthward  way 
All-hallow'd  wings,  the  brooding  Dove 

Came  down  and  moved  till  His  great  day 
On  the  deep  waters  of  God's  love. 

Moved,  as  with  forming  wings  of  yore. 
He  moved  on  voids  of  man  untrod  j 

A  Seer,  beholding  long  before 

The  yet  unformed  Church,  of  God. 

Then,  as  a  rushing  wind  come  down, 

A  holy  storm  of  swift  desire, 
On  humble  heads  a  more  than  crown. 

He  fell  in  hovering  tongues  of  fire. 


loo  5^0l2  Songs,  Carols, 

In  ecstasy  of  love  he  came, 

The  Dove  of  God  to  be  their  guest ; 

And  they  beheld  the  sacred  flame  — 

Their  power,  their  sanction,  and  their  rest. 

O  fall  on  us.     Thy  life  afford ; 

Is  not  the  promise  made  to  all  ? 
Refining  fire,  informing  Lord, 

Indwelling  Spirit,  fall  —  O  fall. 


anti  Sacnti  Ballatis,  loi 


" / am  ready  to  depart,^ 

NOW  my  sun  will  soon  depart ; 
Quiet  is  the  closing  day, 
God  doth  gently  smooth  the  way, 
And  with  peace  my  waiting  heart 
Still  endow. 

Wine  of  life,  'tis  well-nigh  spent, 

Work  is  over,  rest  is  near ; 
Let  me  watch  for  Tiiee,  nor  fear 

When  Thy  summons  shall  be  sent,  - 
"  Enter  thou/' 

Bridegroom  at  a  feast  divine. 
Earth  her  best  doth  first  afford, 

And  the  worser  afterward  ; 

But  Thou  hast  kept  the  good  wine 
Until  now. 


I02  J^olg  Songs,  ffiarote, 


"  There  is  a  river  the  streams  whereof  make  glad 
the  city  of  otir  Godr 

LIKE  a  great  river  Thy  love  flows, 
Let  not  it  run  to  waste, 
I'll  dip  my  hand,  so  near  it  goes, 
Sure  I  thereof  may  taste. 

I'll  lay  me  down  upon  its  brink 
And  cry  to  Thee,  ''  Give,  give, 

I  am  athirst ;  give  me  to  drink." 
He  answers,  ^'  Drink,  and  live  ; 

"  How  deep  the  water,  thirsting  soul, 
Thou  canst  not  see  nor  dream  ; 

All  is  for  all,  thou  hast  the  whole 
Of  great  love's  lasting  stream. 

,  "  Yea,  all  is  thine,  and  I  am  thine. 
Thy  thirst,  thy  longing  slake ; 
Drink,  O  beloved.  My  divine 
Sorrow  and  love  partake. 


anb  Sacreti  Ballatis,  103 

"  Sorrow,  for  I  have  sorrow'd  much 

Over  thy  sins  and  shame; 
Love,  for  My  love  is  given  to  such 

As  think  upon  My  name. 

*'  Thee  will  I  clothe  in  raiment  white, 

And  give  thee  a  white  stone  j 
Dear  shall  thy  name  be  in  His  sight. 

By  whom  'tis  read  alone. 

"  Thou  shalt  have  place  in  this  My  heart 
And  hear  My  heaven-sweet  call ; 

Behold  Me  offer'd,  take  thy  part 
In  love's  unending  all." 

I  will  kneel  down,  and  Thee  my  whole 

Accept,  since  Thou  art  won  ; 
There  is  great  silence  in  my  soul 

As  glory  were  begun  ;  — 

I  will  kneel  down  for  my  new  name, 

To  thank  Thee  and  to  pray, 
"  Preserve  it.  Saviour,  free  from  blame 

Until  the  judgment  day  ;  "  — 

I  will  kneel  down,  in  white  robes  clad, 

And  from  its  bordering  sod. 
Drink  of  the  river  that  makes  glad 

The  city  of  my  God. 


I04  fl^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


EVENING. 

^^  Man  goeth  forth  to  his  work  and  to  his  labor  till  the 
eve7tiiig.^'* 

THE  sun  is  gone,  the  long  clouds  break 
And  sink  adown  his  golden  wake  ; 
Behold  us,  met  now  work  is  done 
To  seek  Thy  grace  at  evensong. 

Half-hearted,  tardy,  cold  are  we, 
Warm  us,  and  draw  our  souls  to  Thee; 
Draw  us  to  follow,  as  the  sun, 
Thy  servant,  vassal  worlds  draws  on. 

Break  to  us,  dealer  of  man's  bread, 
Food  fresh  from  heaven  as  manna  spread, 
Lest  of  the  poisonous  fruits  of  death 
Eat  the  sad  soul  that  hungereth. 

We  would  not  meagre  gifts  down-call 
When  Thou  dost  yearn  to  yield  us  all ; 
But  for  this  life,  this  little  hour, 
Ask  all  Thy  love  and  care  and  power. 


anti  Sactrti  Ballatis,  105 

Show  us  Thy  pureness,  here,  on  earth  ; 
Into  Thy  kingdom  give  us  birth. 
We  would  not  wish  or  dare,  to  wait 
In  better  worlds  a  better  state. 

But  save  us  now,  and  cleanse  us  now, 
Receive  each  soul  and  hear  its  vow : 
"  My  father's  God,  on  Thee  I  call, 
Thou  shalt  be  my  God,  and  my  All." 


io6  5^0l2  Songs,  Carols, 


*^  /  a7n  the  true  Vine,  and  My  Father  is  the 
Husbandman,^'* 


NOW  will  I  sing  a  song  I  learn'd  of  ol4 
To  One  whom  my  soul  loveth.    "  O  my  Vine, 
My  Life,  Thy  branch  cries  out  to  Thee ;  behold, 
For  good,  this  fruitless  graft,  that  yet  is  Thine. 

Alas,  for  clusters  it  should  bear  to  Thee 

Leaves  that  do  languish,  wither'd  buds  are  there ; 

When  the  Great  Husbandman  shall  presently 
Come  down,  is  nothing  sweet,  and  nothing  fair. 

That  branch  He  favoured  of  the  almond  tree 

Budded,  brake  forth,  and  bloom'd  in  Aaron's  hand  ; 

O  mystic 'Vine,  shall  He  do  less  for  Thee 

Than  bid  Thy  favour'd  branch  revive,  expand. 

Call  the  sweet  winds  of  heaven  and  bid  them  blow, 
And  call  the  clouds  to  drop  in  gracious  dew ; 

Let  Thy  sap  rise  in  this  dry  branch  and  flow  — 
(For  yet  'tis  Thine)  —  Rise,  rise,  in  it  anew. 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatjs*  107 

O  for  his  Hand,  the  Heavenly  Husbandman  ; 

But  what  if  it  should  come  with  loss,  with  pain  ? 
How  should  the  wheat  desire  the  winnowing  fan  — 

How  shall  the  branch  desire  so  sore  a  gain  ? 

Nay,  let  that  be.     Only,  my  Life,  my  Vine, 

Thee  let  me  yet  some  sweetness  grow,  and  then 

It  shall  suffice  Thy  branch  —  (is  it  not  Thine  ?)  — 
To  ask,  to  pray,  '^  Even  so  come.     Amen." 


io8  l^olg  Sonp,  Carols, 


SERVICE. 
*^  Jesus  saith  tmto  her^  '  Give  Me  to  drinks  '' 

IT  was  the  heat  of  afternoon  :  To  Sychar  thus  befell 
That  her  Messias  came  to  her,  and  sat  by  Jacob's 
well 
Aweary,  for  the  way  was  long  —  He  lean'd  upon  the 

brink  — 
Cometh  a  woman  down  to  draw  —  "Give  Me,"  saith 
He,  "to  drink." 

"  And  O,"  cries  many  a  heart  to-day,  in  love  and  yearn- 
ing true, 

"  So  would  that  I,"  and  "  Would  that  I,"  and  "  Would 
that  I  might  do  ; " 

And  "  Would  that  in  that  woman's  place  it  might  have 
been  for  me 

To  draw  the  water  Thou  didst  long  for  —  Blessed 
One  —  for  Thee." 

The  well  was  deep  the  woman  drew,  and  to  His  sacred 

mouth 
Did  lift  the  water,  nothing  'ware  of  ought  but  mortal's 

drouth  ; 


anti  Sacrtli  Ballatis,  109 

Then  ask — O  sad,  O  sweet  her  words  —  of  Him, 
blest  Son  of  Man, 

'^  How  is  it  Thou  wilt  ought  of  me,  th'  unloved  Samar- 
itan? " 

How  is  it,  mighty  Love  of  God,  O  Great  Messias,  how  ! 

Thou  wilt  of  sinners  ask  for  aid,  thou  wilt  "  have  deal- 
ings "  now  ? 

"Give  Me  to  drink,  the  well  is  deep,  I  sit,  I  wait  for 
thee  ; 

I  am  athirst,  I  am  athirst ;  'beseech  you,  succour  Me  ! 

"  For  thou  and  I,  and  these  My  poor,  are  one ;  their 

need  is  Mine, 
And  whoso  aideth  mortal  want,  so  aideth  My  divine." 
I  yield  Thee  hearty  thanks,  O  Lord  !     So  yet,  it  mine 

may  be 
To  draw  the  water  Thou  dost  long  for — Blessed  One  — 

For  Thee. 


no  J^olg  Songs,  ffiarals, 


Double  Hymn. 
"  Here  am  I j  send  me." 


MY  Jesu  !    In  the  crowd  He  walks  with  sorrow's 
down-trod  sons ; 
He  is  afflicted  in  the  streets  for  His  afflicted  ones. 
Lord  Jesu,  buffeted  again  while  rushing  crowds  go  by, 
He  pleadeth  for  His  poor  unheard,  for  His  oppressed 
doth  sigh. 

2. 

What  are  these  wounds,  Thou  Love  of  God,  so  low 

that  condescends  ? 
Alas  !  Thou'rt  wounded  in  the  house,  my  Jesu,  of  Thy 

friends  ; 
I  will  go  down  into  the  streets,  for  sure  Thou  beck- 

onest  me  ; 
Go  down,  Thou  Saviour  of  my  heart,  and  serve  Thy 

poor  with  Thee. 


Once  the  fishers  Thine  appearing 

Saw,  and  cried  for  aid  \ 
Want  and  toil  behold  Thee  nearing 

Now,  no  more  afraid. 


anti  Sacreti  BallatJS,  m 

Dear  to  misery's  sons  and  daughters, 

Now  Thy  visits  be, 
Walking  on  the  whelming  waters 

Of  their  stormy  sea. 

3- 

Myjesu!    On  the  height   He   walks   a-shepherding 

His  sheep  ; 
A  litde  flock,  a  scatter'd  flock  new  waken'd  out  of 

sleep, 
For   slumber   yet   their  heavy  eyes   can  scarce  His 

beauty  see, 
And  "  Who  will  climb  upon  the  heights  and  tend  this 

flock  for  Me?" 

4- 
Dear,  my  Lord  Jesu,  my  desire,  the  lonely  paths  are 

high; 
The   scatter'd  flock  doth  wander  oft,  and  deep  the 

snow-drifts  lie ; 
But  in  Thy  pleasure  is  my  life.  Thy  will  my  law  shall 

be  ; 
Lo  !  I  will  climb  upon  the  heights  and  tend  this  flock 

for  Thee. 

2. 

There,  one  day,  O  Lord,  their  only 

Trust,  shall  sound  Thy  feet 
Coming  up  the  pastures  lonely, 

In  remoteness  sweet. 


112  ^alg  Songs,  Carols, 

Coming,  in  the  dim,  the  golden 

Dawn  ere  shadows  flee 
As  Thou  camest  in  ages  olden  — 

Walking  on  the  sea. 

5- 

My  Jesu !  walking  on  the  strand,  a  ship  about  to  sail, 

And  ^'  All  My  love  to  them  she  bears,  is  but  an  un- 
known tale  ; 

Where  is  the  man  will  tell  My  tale  and  dare  the  desert 
sea. 

Albeit,  he  take  his  life  in  hand,  and  sailing  meet  — 
with  Me  ?  '* 

6. 

Lord  Jesu,  I  will  sail  this  night,  and  tell  Thy  story  o'er, 
E'en  though  unto  the  land  beloved  return  the  ship  no 

more, 
For  O  sweet  death,  and  O  sweet  death,  if  death  my 

dower  should  be, 
Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus,  —  come,  and  meet  us  on 

the  sea. 


When  the  rent  heavens  rage  and  thunder, 

When  the  unfriended  barque 
Beaten  of  the  deep  goes  under, 

Foundering  in  the  dark  ; 


anl3  Sacreti  Ballatis.  113 

When  the  yeasty  waves  all  cover, 

When  the  spirits  flee  — 
i\Ieet  them,  mankind's  Lord  and  lover, 

Walking  on  the  sea. 


114  ?^^I2  Sonss,  Carols, 


HARVEST. 

"  Praise  the  Lord,  O  pty  soulP 

THOU  giv'st  to  men  the  fruitful  land, 
And  harvests  from  the  deep ; 
By  day  Thou  giv'st  with  bounteous  hand. 

By  night  Thou  giv'st  in  sleep. 
Thou  giv'st  the  wakening  of  the  spring, 

In  autumn  sheaves  to  live ; 
We  give  but  thanks,  our  God,  O  King, 
Nought  else  we  have  to  give. 

While  I  have  breath  I'll  praise  the  Lord, 

Who  doth  me  hold  in  life  ; 
Of  His  own  life  did  me  afford. 

And  shared  my  bread,  my  strife. 
By  me  did  toil,  and  with  me  housed, 

Consider'd  sore  my  doom  ; 
My  misery  rued,  my  cause  espoused, 

And  made  with  me  His  tomb. 


anti  Sacrcti  33allati0»  ii  = 

He  paid  my  debt,  and  in  three  days 

The  sdng  of  death  He  stole  ; 
Now  am  I  glad,  that  was  full  sad 

And  sick;  —  in  Him  made  whole. 
O  heaven  and  earth,  high  praise  afford, 

Thou  deep  its  echoes  roll ; 
Praise  ye  die  Lord,  praise  ye  the  Lord  — 

Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 


ii6  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


CONFLICT. 

"  Show  me  wherefore  Thou  contendest  with  meP 

ART  Thou  come  down  my  life  to  end 
In  the  dark,  with  Thy  dread  might? 
I  am  nought :  O  how  should  I  contend  ? 
And  I  did  think  Thou  wert  my  friend, 
Thou  Wrestler  in  the  night. 

Why  is  Thy  hand  so  heavy  on  me  ?  — 

I  faint —  I  am  undone  ; 
I  fall  —  there  once  was  pity  with  Thee; 
By  Thy  past  pity,  O  set  me  free, 

My  Lord,  my  Holy  One. 

Thy  dust  cries  to  Thee  from  the  ground, 

Lord,  Thou  hast  laid  me  low  ; 
All  my  sins  rise  and  hem  me  round, 
In  the  dark  accusing  whispers  sound  — 

I,  whither  shall  I  go  ? 


anti  Sacrrti  Ballatis,  1.17 

I  have  dwelt  careless  ;  yet,  methought 

Thy  smiles  on  me  were  sure  ; 
I  have  done  amiss  and  evil  wrought  ; 
Now,  in  great  darkness,  I  am  taught 

How,  Lord,  Thine  eyes  are  pure.  ^ 

Is  Thy  great  sum  of  kindness  told  ? 

Nay,  through  all  tears,  I  wot 
Thou  art  nearer  to  me  than  of  old ; 
While  Thou  dost  strive  I  can  Thee  hold. 

Slay,  —  but  depart  Thou  not. 

Hear  me.     Thy  strokes  are  not  the  whole 

These  bitter  tears  deplore. 
To  have  grieved  Thy  heart  is  my  worse  dole ; 
Forgive,  blest  Wrestler,  with  my  soul 

I  would  Thee  wound  no  more. 

Thou  art  Thyself  though  Thou  dost  chide 

My  one  hope,  all  my  grace  ; 
O  Love  !  I  cannot  be  denied  ; 
O  Christ !  Thou  wilt  not  me  divide 

From  the  comfort  of  Thy  face. 

Give  yet  a  blessing  ere  day  break. 

I  shall  not  see  Thee  here, 
But  I  have  held  Thee  ;  —  do  not  take 
Away  Thy  hand  till  Thou  me  make 

Glad  in  Thy  love  and  fear. 


ii8  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  Thy  gentleness  hath  made  me  great P 

N"  OW  winter  past,  the  white-thorn  bower 
Breaks  forth  and  buds  down  all  the  glen  ; 
Now  spreads  the  leaf  and  grows  the  flower : 
So  grows  the  life  of  God,  in  men. 

Oh,  my  child-God,  most  gentle  King, 

To  me  Thy  waxing  glory  show  : 
Wake  in  my  heart  as  wakes  the  spring, 

Grow  as  the  leaf  and  lily  grow. 

I  was  a  child,  when  Thou  a  child 
Didst  make  Thyself  again  to  me  ; 

And  holy,  harmless,  undefiled, 

Play'd  at  Thy  mother  Mary's  knee. 

Thou  gav'st  Thy  pure  example  so, 

The  copy  in  my  childish  breast 
Was  a  child's  copy.     I  did  know 

God,  made  in  childhood  manifest. 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis.  119 

Now  I  am  grown,  and  Thou  art  grown 
The  God-man,  strong  to  love,  to  will, 

Who  was  alone,  yet  not  alone. 

Held  in  His  Father's  presence  still. 

Now  do  I  know  Thee  for  my  cure. 
My  peace,  the  Absolver  for  me  set ; 

Thy  goings  pass  through  deeps  obscure, 
But  Thou  with  me  art  gentle  yet. 

Long-suffering  Lord,  to  man  reveal'd 
As  One  that  e'en  the  child  doth  wait. 

Thy  full  salvation  is  my  shield. 

Thy  gentleness  hath  made  me  great. 


I20  3^ol2  Songs,  atuxals, 


"  yesus  saith  unto  the7n, '  Children^  have  ye  any  7neat  f*  " 

AS  a  pillar  on  the  shore, 
Darkly  dim  the  Christ  they  see  ; 
Ere  the  morning  watch  is  o'er  — 
"  Children,  have  ye  any  meat  ?  " 
He  doth  ask  them  tenderly. 

"  Nay,  and  we  have  toil'd  all  night  j 

Weary  casts  do  nought  afford.'' 
In  the  sudden  morning  light, 
Now  they  know  Him  — fearful,  sweet 
To  their  hearts  —  it  is  the  Lord. 

"  Children,  have  ye  any  meat  ?  " 
Still  of  faith  He  questions  thus ; 

Lo  we,  kneeling  at  His  feet. 
Answer,  "  Ay,  the  meal  is  spread, 

Bless  and  break,  and  give  to  us." 

"  Children,  have  ye  any  meat? 

Ought  of  Mine  or  ought  of  Me  ?" 
"Ay,  this  livino^  bread  to  eat; 
Ay,  these  drops  for  healing  shed ; 
Ay,  Lord  Jesus,  we  have  Thee." 


anil  Sacreti  Ballatjg^  121 


^'Wilt  thou  be  made  whole  /" 

ALL  in  still  heat  the  waters  lie, 
And  one  doth  watch  with  faded  eye ; 
But  never  angel  wings  are  sent 
To  move  them,  for  him  impotent. 

How  long  ?    How  long?     Lo,  One  at  hand, 
Untroubled  as  the  pool  doth  stand ; 
In  power  He  meets  the  suffering  soul, 
Demanding,  "  Wilt  thou  be  made  whole  ?  " 

Wilt  thou,  so  long  time  in  this  case  ? 
Strange  words  but  vv^ondrous  is  the  face ; 
He  will,  and  straight  the  blessing  won, 
He  riseth,  all  his  dolour  done. 

"Thy  lips  are  full  of  grace,"  O  Lord, 
Yet  Thy  words  wound  as  doth  a  sword ; 
Not  weary  watch,  nor  healing  wave, 
Nor  angel  wings,  they  cry,  can  save. 


122  ^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

Thou  showest  to  man  Thy  dear  intent, 
And  waitest  for  his  will's  consent ; 
Repeating  to  the  sin-struck  soul, 
*'WiLT  thou,  poor  sufferer,  be  made  whole?" 

Wilt  thou  ?     Is  mighty  Love,  thy  meed 
Only  to  make  me  whole  ?     Dost  plead 
Only  to  give  me  all :  O  still 
Help  the  heart's  answer,  ''  Lord,  I  will." 


anti  Sacrcti  Ballatis*  123 


ADVENT. 
"  Behold^  a  king  shall  reig)i  iii  righteousness^ 

THERE  was  a  seer  who  spake  of  old, 
'-  Though  God  be  all  iny  stay  \ 
Zion,  thy  sons  shall  yet  behold 

A  fairer,  sweeter  day. 
In  the  city  of  David  Hght  shall  spring, 

Judgment  her  gates  shall  bless  \ 
A  Man  shall  be  the  peace  —  a  King 
Shall  reign  in  righteousness. 

"  As  a  covert  from  the  stormy  wind. 

Behold  this  man  shall  be  ; 
A  sheltering  ark  they  shall  Him  find 

Upon  a  rain-vexed  sea. 
As  cold  water  to  a  thirsting  flock 

Errant  on  sultry  sand, 
As  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock 
-    In  a  weary  land." 

Cast  every  crown  thy  kings  have  worn, 
O  earth;  before  great  heaven  ; 


124  F^J^Ig  Songs,  Carols, 

Cry  "Unto  us  the  child  is  born, 
To  us  the  Son  is  given." 

He  bringeth  peace  to  men  of  peace  . 
The  poor  His  name  confess ; 

Behold  the  Man !  the  world's  release, 
The  Lord,  our  Righteousness. 


antJ  SacrctJ  JSallatis.  125 


"  /  will  ariseP 

A  STILL  small  voice  would  fain  me  rouse  ; 
^'  Hungry  thou  art  and  lone, 
Very  far  from  thy  Father's  house, 
And  no  man  heeds  thy  moan/ 

"  Come  to  thyself,  what  hast  thou  got 
■   Bat  misery  for  thy  pains  ? 
They  grudge  thee  e'en  thine  evil  lot  — 
Scant  husks  and  sordid  gains. 


'^Lo,  thou  art  lost,  —  and  peace  no  more 

About  thy  path  doth  shine  ; 
Thou  hast  no  home,  and  'tis  thy  sore 

To  see  the  blame  all  thine. 


-*'  Thou  hast  earn'd  stripes  to  rue  their^smart- 

Wholly  thou  art  undone  ; 
No  pity —  none  — but  in  His  heart 

Who  counts  thee  yet  a  son. 


126  ?^ol2  Songs,  ffiarob, 

"  O  thou  poor  soul,  why  wilt  thou  die  ? 

Thy  Father's  door  stands  wide  ; 
A  great  way  off  He  hears  thee  cry, 

Thou  shalt  not  be  denied. 

''  Answer  His  love,  nor  fear  rebuff. 
Thy  all  of  hope  there  lies  ; 

Answer  Him,  '  Lord,  it  is  enough ; 
Father,  I  will  arise.' '' 


anti  Sacrcti  33aIIatis»  127 


NEW  YEAR'S  EVE;  OR,  '''THE  WATCH-XIGHT. 

''  Aivake,  til  OH  that  sleepest,  ajid  arise  from  the  dead, 
and  Christ  shall  give  thee  lights 

THOU  that  sleepest  not  afraid, 
]Men  and  angels  thee  upbraid  ; 
Rise,  cry,  cr\-  to  God  aloud. 
Ere  the  swift  hours  weave  thy  shroud  : 
O,  for  Jesus*  sake, 
^^'ake  ! 

Thee  full  ill  doth  it  beseem 
Through  the  dark  to  drowse  and  dream  ; 
In  the  dead-time  of  the  night 
Here  is  One  can  give  thee  light : 
O,  for  Jesus'  sake, 
\A*ake  ! 

The  year  passeth  —  it  and  all 
God  shall  take  and  shall  let  fall 
Soon,  into  the  whelming  sea 
Of  His  wide  eternity: 
O,  for  Jesus'  sake, 
Wake ! 


128  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

Noiseless  as  the  flakes  of  snow 
The  last  moments  falter  and  go ; 
The  time-angel  sent  this  way 
Sweeps  them  like  a  drift  away : 
O,  for  Jesus'  sake, 
Wake ! 

Loved  and  watch'd  of  heaven,  for  whom 
The  crowned  Saviour  there  makes  room, 
Sleeper,  hark!  He  calls  thee,  rise, 
Lift  thy  head,  and  raise  thine  eyes ! 
Now,  for  Jesus'  sake, 
Wake ! 


antj  5acr£ti  Ballatis.  129 


"  There  was  a  sotind  as  of  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  and 
it  filled  all  the  house  where  they  were  7netP 

HOLY  of  Holies,  forming  Mind, 
Not  as  a  mighty  rushing  wind, 
Thy  great  descent  we  look  to  greet. 
And  fill  this  house  wherein  we  meet. 

.  Not  a  refining  fire  to  see, 
As  did  Thy  saints  of  Galilee  ; 
But  give  the  better  grace  to  hold, 
Thy  coming  dear  as  held  of  old. 

They  fasted,  waited,  pray'd  for  Thee, 
Yet  knew  not  what  the  gift  would  be  ; 
And  when  Thy  mighty  presence  came, 
Amazed  they  wore  the  crowning  flame. 

We  know —  and  seek  not  —  we  desire 
Nor  rushing  wind  nor  falling  fire  ; 
We  know,  but  ask  a  slender  dole. 
And  lips  and  life  deny  the  whole. 
9 


I30  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

He  giveth  to  His  Church  no  more 
The  gifts,  she  saith,  bestow'd  of  yore  ; 
But  could  she  dare  to  fast,  to  pray 
For  such  a  dower  in  such  a  day. 

A  gift  once  more  to  set  apart,  — 
And  close  to  her  the  world's  kind  heart - 
Her  world  forgiven,  her  all  too  dear, 
The  sister  she  hath  lived  so  near  ? 

Yet,  let  her  cry,  "  What  have  I  done, 
I  that  have  lost  who  might  have  won  ; 
Let  me  no  more  Thy  gifts  restrain, 
Albeit  my  heart  they  rend  in  twain. 

"  Give  all  Thou  wilt  give  !     Anger,  scorn, 
Yea  fire,  yea  sword,  yea  lives  forlorn 
To  follow  if  they  must  —  yet  give. 
Set  us  apart,  and  let  us  live. 

"  False  friends  no  more  that  falsely  greet, 
'Twere  good  to  part,  so  best  to  meet ; 
A  mighty  church  made  strong  to  hold 
The  awaken'd  world  within  her  fold.'' 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis.  131 


EARLY   QUESTIONS    OF   THE   CHURCH. 

"  Who  shall  roll  us  away  the  stone  froin  the  door  of 
the  sepulchre  ?  " 

CHURCH  of  God,  these  many  years 
Watching  at  the  door  with  tears  ; 
"  Christ  is  risen,"  Angels  said  ; 
Mourn  not,  worship  not  the  dead. 

For  a  dead  Christ  these  made  moan, 
While  death  held  Him  had  they  none. 
And  would  fain  have  found  them  room 
For  their  misery  in  His  tomb. 

O  how  gentle  to  their  grief  — 
Lord,  how  swift  to  bring  relief  ; 
Only  three  days  dead,  —  and  now 
Living,  asks,  "  Why  w^eepest  thou  ?  " 

As  to  them  He  died  in  vain. 
Till  in  life  He  stood  again  ; 
So  till  faith  His  rising  see. 
Church  of  God,  it  is  wdth  thee. 


132  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

Thou  art  dead,  while  He  is  dead ; 
Dead  to  thee.     Behold,  thy  head. 
Life,  in  Him  thy  life,  He  giveth  — 
Know  that  thy  Redeemer  liveth. 

Life,  Creator,  Son,  all  fair. 
By  Whose  power  the  worlds  first  were, 
By  Whose  rule  the  heavens  were  laid, 
In  Whose  likeness  man  was  made. 

Word,  with  speech,  that  made  man  wise, 
Lord,  that  walk'd  in  Paradise  — 
Over  vague  leagues,  pale  with  light, 
Steer'd  the  sailing  ark  aright  — 

Forty  years  abode  with  Shem 
In  his  tents,  and  marshalFd  them  — 
Show'd  to  seers  unearthly  things  — 
Visited  the  dreams  of  kings  — 

Bearing,  yearning,  reigning,  kind, 
Tauglit  to  man  Thy  righteous  mind  — 
In  the  dark  world  gone  astray, 
Wakening  hope  of  some  good  day  — 

Saviour  —  wliat  we  lost  who  won. 
And  much  more  for  us  undone  ; 
Thou  hast  been  since  time  began 
Only  three  diys  dead  to  man. 


antj  Sacrrt  Ballalis,  133 

Dieclst  Thou  then  that  we  should  sleep  ? 
Didst  Thou  rise  that  we  should  weep  ? 
Church  of  God,  rise  thou  —  and  shine  ; 
Sing  for  joy,  *'  Thy  life  is  mine." 

In  His  death  forgiveness  hes, 
By  His  rising  thou  dost  rise ; 
Day  by  day  thy  life  He  giveth, 
Sing,  for  thy  Redeemer  liveth. 


134  ??qI2  Songs,  Carols, 


*'  Thoicgh  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death  I  will  fear  no  evilP 

TELL  to  us,  tell,  O  Church  of  God, 
Where  is  thy  faithful  Shepherd  gone  ? 
Green  pastures  of  His  foot  untrod ; 
Still  waters  all  unsmiled  upon. 

"  My  Shepherd  is  a  great  King's  heir, 
With  whom  He  bides  in  bliss  untold, 

And  for  His  flock  makes  ready  there. 
The  safe,  the  everlasting  fold. 

"  Thence  doth  He  watch  whom  He  did  choose  ; 

He  counts  the  flock,  and  knoweth  them  all  j 
His  sheep  and  lambs  He  will  not  lose. 

And  one  by  one  He  doth  them  call. 

"  There  is  a  valley  they  must  tread, 
Where  lieth  the  shadow  of  a  sleep, 

Dark  is  the  shadow ;  but  they  dread 
No  evil,  He  their  steps  will  keep. 


anil  Sactcti  Ballatis.  135 

"  It  is  the  great  way  home  to  Him, 
The  golden  gates  He  entered  so. 

Hark,  hark  !  I  hear  in  darkness  dim 
The  songs  of  them  that  down  it  go. 

*^  Thou,  O  good  Shepherd,  art  my  stay, 

I  will  not  fear  the  gloom  to  see. 
For  death,  since  Thou  hast  pass'd  this  way, 

Is  but  the  shadow  of  death  to  me." 


136  ?^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


EASTER. 

"  Blessed  he  the  Lord  for  ever7nore.     Aine7t^  and  Amen.'''' 

IN  the  valleys  of  Im manners  land, 
Are  there  high-days,  holier  than  the  rest  ? 
One  another,  with  salutings  bland, 

Greet  the  saints  upon  the  birthday  blest? 
In  Immanuers  land,  so  far  away, 
If  they  keep  e'en  now  their  Easter  day 
Alleluias,  none  can  reach  our  ken  ; 
Yet,  earth,  make  sweet  thine  answer — ^' Amen." 

There,  it  may  be  sometime  from  His  throne 
Coming  down,  Immanuel  walks  the  shade ; 

Saints  beneath  the  palm-trees,  one  by  one, 
Hear  a  man's  sweet  voice,  no  whit  afraid, 

Making  mention  of  His  sojourn  here  ; 

Then  all  angels  sing  in  joyance  clear 

Alleluias.     O  they  pass  our  ken  ; 

Yet,  earth,  make  sweet  thine  answer  —  "Amen." 


ant(  Sacreli  Ballatis.  137 

Sweetly  now  Immanuel's  voice  may  sound, 

"  As  upon  this  day  in  Salem  old, 
Me  My  sorrowing  mother,  Mary,  found 

'Mid  the  Father's  courts  of  beaten  gold ; 
When  a  child  I  knew  not  all  My  part, 
And  desired  it  of  My  Father  s  heart." 
Alleluias  sang  the  angels  then ; 
O,  earth,  make  sweet  thine  answer —  "  Amen." 

Or,  it  may  be  He  is  heard  to  speak 

While  the  winds  of  heaven  about  Him  blow, 

Looking  dov;n  from  some  high,  glorious  peak 
On  the  far-off  earth  that  spins  below ; 

'\  There,  as  on  this  day  my  work  all  o'er, 

I  slept  to  God  and  woke  to  sleep  no  more  ;  " 

Alleluias  sang  the  angels  then. 

O,  earth,  make  sweet  thine  answer —  "Amen." 


138  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


''''Thou  tJioughtest  that  I  was  altogether  such  an  07te 
as  thy  self. ^^ 

W  J0\J1jT>  I,  to  save  my  dear  child  dutiful, 
V  V     Dare    the    white    breakers    on   a  storm-rent 

shore  ? 
Ay,  truly,  Thou  all  good,  all  beautiful. 

Truly  I  would,  —  then  truly  Thou  would'st  more. 

Would  I  for  my  poor  son,  who  desolate 
After  long  sinning,  sued  without  my  door 

For  pardon,  open  it  ?    Ay,  fortunate 

To  hear  such  prayer,  I  would,  —  Lord,  Thou  would'st 
more. 

Would  I  for  e^en  the  stranger's  weariness 

And  want  divide,  albeit  'twere  scant,  my  store  ? 

Ay,  and  mine  enemy,  sick,  shelterless. 

Dying,  I  would  attend,  —  O,  Lord,  Thou  more. 

In  dust  and  ashes  my  long  infamy 

Of  unbelief  1  rue.     My  love  before 
Thy  love  I  set :  my  heart's  discovery. 

Is  sweet,  —  whatever  I  would,  Thou  wouldest  more. 


anti  Sarreti  Ballatis.  139 

I  was  Thy  shelterless,  sick  enemy, 

And  Thou  didst  die  for  me,  yet  heretofore 

I  have  fearM  ;  now  learn  I  love's  supremacy,  — 
Whate'er  is  known  of  love,  Thou  lovest  more. 


I40  ?^0l2  Songs,  Catdlei, 


^^  Why  stand  ye  gazing  P 

WAS  never  sight  so  wondrous  given  ? 
Yet  angels  talk  with  them  that  see ; 
"  Why  stand  ye  gazing  up  to  heaven," 
They  ask,  "ye  men  of  Galilee?'' 

"  What  should  we  do,  but  ever  gaze  ? 

The  earth  is  void,  the  heavens  are  cleft 
Of  Him  gone  up  the  steep  highways 

To  God, —  this  hour  are  we  bereft. 

"  Lo,  love  cries  upward,  hope  is  cross'd, 

We,  following  glad  through  tears  would  fall, 

E'en  rapt  with  our  sweet  listening  lost,  — 
The  blessed  One,  the  all  in  all. 

*'  Once  from  our  boats  He  taught,  He  trod, 
Alas,  unknown,  the  field,  the  shore  ; 

To-day  He  was  our  present  God, 
And  we  shall  see  His  face  no  more. 


anil  Sarreti  Ballats.  141 

"  Why,  O  ye  white  ones,  question  thus  ? 

The  Christ  for  heaven  bereaves  His  own. 
And  what  is  left  on  earth  for  us 

But  still  to  gaze  where  He  is  gone  ?  " 

The  angels  answer.     ^'Lo,"  they  say, 

While  steadfast  eyes  those  watchers  strain, 

"  This  Jesus,  caught  to  heaven  to-day, 
Shall  in  like  manner  come  again." 

"  His  feet  on  Olivet  shall  stand ; 

Ay,  this  same  Jesus  shall  come  down." — 
Spare  Him,  O  God,  from  Thy  right  hand. 

Most  holy  Saviour,  take  Thy  crown. 

Son  of  the  Father,  hear :  our  night 

Is  dark.  Thy  mourners  wait  and  yearn. 

O  Lamb  of  God,  O  Light  of  Light, 
O  Love  of  Love,  return,  return  ! 


142  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  He  first  loved  usT 


I    SOUGHT  the  Lord,  and  afterward  I  knew 
He  moved  my  soul  to  it  Who  sought  for  me ; 
It  was  not  I  that  found,  O  Saviour  true  ; 
No,  I  was  found  of  Thee. 

Thou  didst  reach  forth  Thy  hand  and  mine  enfold  ; 

I  walk'd  and  sank  not  on  the  storm-vexed  sea ; 
But  not  so  much  that  I  on  Thee  took  hold 
As  by  Thy  hold  of  me. 

I  find,  I  walk,  I  love,  but  ah,  the  whole 

Of  love  is  but  my  answer.  Lord,  to  Thee ; 
Lord,  Thou  wert  long  beforehand  with  my  soul  — - 
Always  Thou  lovedst  me. 


anl!  Sacreti  Ballatis,  143 


"  Where  two  or  three  are  viet  together^  there  am  I  in 
the  Diidst  of  yoiiP 

THE  meaning  of  Thy  meat  and  drink, 
Lord,  is  for  me  too  high ; 
And  so  much  more  than  I  can  think, 
As  Thou  art  more  than  I. 

But  for  remembrance,  and  for  hope, 

In  faith  that  cannot  see, 
I,  raised  above  life's  narrow  scope, 

Reach  forth  my  prayer  for  Thee. 

Bless  me,  and  for  Thy  blessed  sake, 

From  love's  un'minish'd  store 
Whatever  I  have  learn'd  to  take, 

Lord  Jesus,  give  me  more. 

I  come  to  meet  Thee,  Thou  art  here. 

Standing  among  Thine  own  ; 
For  ''two  or  three"  that  hold  Thee  dear 

Have  drawn  Thee,  Saviour,  down. 

I  come,  my  nothing  I  confess, 

Thy  all  I  cannot  know  ; 
But  till  Thou  to  the  utmost  bless 

I  will  not  let  Thee  go. 


144  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


THE   EARLY   QUESTIONS    OF   THE    CHURCH. 

"  Art  Thoit  He  that  should  come  f  " 

JESUS,  the  Lamb  of  God,  gone  forth  to  heal  and 
bless. 
Calm  lie  the  desert  pools  in  a  fair  wilderness ; 
Wind-shaken  moves  the  reed,  so  moves  His  voice  the 

soul ; 
Sick   folk   surprised  of  joy.   wax  when  they  hear  it, 
whole. 

Calm  all  His  mastering  might,  calm  smiles  the  desert 

waste  ; 
Peace,  peace.  He  shall  not  cry,  nay,  He  shall  not 

mal<«  haste  ; 
.  Heaven  gazes,  hell  beneath  moved  for  Him,  moans 

and  stirs  — 
Lo,  John  lies  fast  in  prison,  sick  for  his  messengers. 

John,  the  forerunner,  John,  the  desert's  tameless  son, 
Cast  into  loathed  thrall,  his  use  and  mission  done  ; 
John  from  his  darkness  sends  a  cry,  but  not  a  plea ; 
Not,  'MLast  Thou  felt  my  need .? ''  but  only,  ''Art  Thou 
He?" 


anil  Sacreti  Ballatis.  145 

Unspoken  pines  his  hope,  grown  weak  in  hngering 

dole; 
None  know  what  pang  that  hour  might  pierce  the 

Healers  soul ; 
Silence  that  faints  to  Him  —  but  must  e'en  so  be  vain  ; 
A  word  —  the  fetters  fall  —  He  w^ill  that  word  restrain. 

JesuSj  the  Father's  son,  bound  in  a  mighty  plan, 
Retired  full   oft  in   God,  show'd    not   His    mind  to 

man ; 
Nor  their  great  matters  high  His  human  lips  confess ; 
He  will  His  wonders  work,  and  not  make  plain,  but 

bless. 

The  bournes  of  His  wide  way  kept  secret  from  all 

thought, 
Enring'd   the    outmost   waste   that   evil    power   had 

wrought ; 
His    measure  none  can  take,  His  strife  we  are  not 

shown. 
Nor  if  He  gather'd  then  more  sheaves  than  earth  hath 

grown. 

"John,  from  the  Christ  of  God,  an  answer  for  all 
time," 

The  proof  of  Sonship  given  in  characters  sublime  ; 

Sad  hope  will  He  make  firm,  and  fainting  faith  re- 
store. 

But  yet  with  mortal  eyes  will  see  His  face  no  more. 


146  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

He  bow'd  His  sacred  head  to  exigence  austere, 
Unknown  to  us  and  dark,  first  piercings  of  the  spear : 
And  to  each  martyr  since  'tis  even  as  if  He  said, 
"  Verily  I  am  He  —  I  Hve,  and  I  was  dead. 

"  The  All-wise  found  a  way  —  a  dark  way  —  dread, 

unknown  ; 
I  chose  it,  will'd  it  Mine,  seal'd  for  My  feet  alone  ; 
Thou  canst  not  therein  walk,  yet  thou  hast  part  in 

Me, 
I  will  not  break  thy  bonds,  but  I  am  bound  with  thee. 

"With  thee  and  for  thee  bound,  with  thee  and   for 

thee  given, 
A  mystery  seal'd  from  hell,  and  wonder'd  at  in  heaven  ; 
I  send  thee  rest  at  heart  to  love,  and  still  believe  ; 
But  not  for  thee  —  nor  Me  —  is  found   from   death 

reprieve." 


anti  Sacrrt  Ballatis.  147 


THE   iMILKY   WAY. 

^'  Verily  TJiou  art  a  God  that  hidest  Thyse^f^  O  God  of 
Israel^  the  SavioitrP 

THE  summer  night  draws  near  its  noon  ; 
The  wheat  fields  rustle  nigh  ; 
A  golden  reaping-hook  —  the  moon 
Hangs  like  a  sign  on  high. 

As  if  to  mind  us  of  His  care, 

Who  guides  the  worlds  overhead, 
Yet  gives  us  in  His  heart  a  share, 

And  thinks  upon  our  bread. 

Sign  to  them  sent,  whose  marvelling  eyes 
Pierce  to  thought's  outmost  bars. 

Where  faint,  because  of  farness,  lies 
Light,  as  the  dust  of  stars. 

iMy  dazzled  thoughts  toward  it  strain, 

Where  bedded  deep  in  space, 
All  twisted  like  a  house-wife's  skein 

I'he  mvriads  interlace  ; 


f^olg  SonflS,  ffi^arolgi, 


Wonderful  suns  !  a  nameless  mote, 

No  more,  is  each  to  me ; 
Wonderful  worlds  that  round  them  float, 

Led  forth,  great  God,  of  Thee. 

They  strew  Thy  road  as  golden  sand ; 

How  far,  to  think  we  fear, 
For  all  within  Thy  presence  stand, 

And  we,  as  they,  are  near. 

Thou  didst  not  tell  to  men  of  old 

How  great  Thy  goings  were  ; 
Hiding  Thy  power,  Thou  didst  unfold. 

Father  revered,  Thy  care. 

Only  to  us.  Thy  wonders  wrought 

(Like  some  of  those  far  rays) 
Have  reach'd,  at  last,  man's  watchful  thought, 

To  light  these  latter  days. 

What  Thou  dost  tell  in  stars  above, 

What  give  we  are  not  shown  ; 
Thou  givest  all  to  us  —  for  love 

Is  all,  and  love  made  known. 

So  many  worlds,  Thou  central  Sun, 

And  all  Thy  brightness  here  ? 
It  may  be  not,  for  only  one, 

Thy  love  has  cost  Thee  dear. 


anti  Sacrtti  Ballatis,  149 

Perhaps  full  many  a  starr)'  gem 
Lapsed  from  Thy  grace  did  lie  j 

Perhaps,  made  manifest  in  them, 
Thy  Love  went  forth  to  die. 

We  dwell  as  at  creation's  brink, 
Yet  saved,  and  safe  from  thrall  ; 

We  think,  if  we  may  dare  to  think, 
Thou  givest  all  to  all. 


ISO  ?ijalg  Songs,  Carols, 


^''  He  dwelleth  ^YiYi  yoic  and  shall  be  \^  yoicP 

MIGHTY  and  merciful,  to  Thee 
A  wearied  spirit  yearns, 
That  fain  as  sacred  fire  would  be. 
Which  ever  mounts  and  burns. 

Mine  eyes  attend  till  night  shall  flee, 
And  come  day's  golden  rim  ; 

As  in  Thy  shrine  of  old  —  with  me 
The  lamp  of  God  burns  dim. 

I  dwell  as,  in  the  days  of  yore. 
They  dwelt,  who  loved  and  fear'd. 

When  Christ  within  the  fasten'd  door 
Appear'd  and  disappear'd : 

I  dwell  as  they  who  blest  their  day, 
WHien  Christ  made  void  the  tomb, 

Between  a  glory  going  away  — 
A  glory  yet  to  come  : 


anti  Sacreli  Ballalis*  151 

At  rest  in  hope  of  sins  forgiven 

I  walk,  His  follower  true  ; 
But  O  to  share  on  this  side  heaven, 

That  promised  glory  too. 

For  all  Christ  died,  and  once  for  all, 

No  souls  in  Him  are  lost ; 
But  'tis  for  each  the  flame  must  fall, 

The  dower  at  Pentecost. 

My  breaking  heart  for  this  good  hour 

The  very  heavens  would  stir ; 
He  is  not  come,  with  Whom  is  power, 

The  Lord,  the  Comforter. 

Rise,  wind  of  God  !     Burn,  sacred  flame  ! 

This  stammering  tongue  set  free  ; 
And  over  sins,  and  sloth,  and  shame, 

Give  Thine  own  victory. 


152  l^olg  <Sflns0,  (larols, 


^'  The  dove  found  no  rest  for  the  sole  of  her  foot.'''' 

LORD,  how  Thou  lovest !  with  each  cne, 
Yes,  every  soul  Thou  bringest  in  ; 
'Tis  as  Thou  hadst  but  one  alone, 
So  fain  Thou  art  that  one  to  win. 

And  there  is  joy  reflecting  Thine, 

E'en  joy  on  earth  when  dangers  pass'd  ; 

Obedience  crowns  the  call  divine, 

That  draws  Thy  wanderers  home  at  last. 

Not  the  tired  dove  (when  he  did  fold 
The  covering  back,  and  wish  for  her) 

Was  to  Thy  mariner-saint  of  old 
At  her  alighting  welcomer  — 

O  not  so  welcome  !  though  of  Thee 
ReveaTd,  He  knewTorlorn  of  shore 

She  was  a  type  of  all  should  flee 
To  mercy's  arms  for  evermore. 


anti  SatrttJ  Ballatis,  153 

Thou,  from  tlie  windows  cf  that  ark, 
Which  floats  upon  Thy  love's  wade  sea, 

Their  trembling",  wearied  wings  dost  mark, 
O  Lord,  who  famting  fly  to  Thee  ; 

Dost  take  them  in,  and  on  Thy  breast 

Comfort,  and  'neath  Thy  rule  make  great  j 

So,  one  with  Thee,  and  many  that  rest 
Safe  there  to  God's  name  dedicate : 

All  sailing  to  the  golden  v;all. 

And  serving  each  in  his  degree, 
For  they  are  all  one  —  even  all. 

Bound  in  the  bundle  of  life  with  Thee. 

That  life  which  warms  Thy  sacred  heart 
Thy  one.  Thy  all  (Thou  sayest  it)  share ; 

O  let  me  in  their  life  have  part, 

And  love  Whose  easy  yoke  they  wear. 

Put  forth  Thy  hand,  take  in  my  soul. 
That  in  the  ark  full  fain  would  be  ; 

Live  to  the  whole,  and  in  the  whole. 

And  of  the  whole.  Thy  Church  and  Thee. 


154  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  In  my  flesh  I  shall  see  God.'''* 

ALL  in  the  city,  whose  gates  are  gold. 
The  saints  walk  softly,  unshod. 
And  gather  with  Christ  from  the  tree  of  life, 
And  drink  of  the  river  of  God. 

I  SHALL  SEE  HiM,  my  Lord,  all-fair. 

Even  I,  in  the  happy  land  ; 
I  shall  kiss  the  hem  of  His  raiment  there, 

And  it  may  be,  touch  His  hand. 

He  is  my  God,  and  He  is  a  Man 

And  His  Hps  do  move  in  speech  ; 
No  words  so  holy  since  time  began  ! 

But  we  know  not  what  they  teach  : 

Save  that  a  Man  of  Sorrow  no  more, 

He  talketh  of  bliss  unknown, 
Till  the  heavens  do  laugh  to  their  outmost  shore, 

And  answers  come  from  the  throne. 

We  shall  draw  near  Him,  while  none  do  let, 

Nor  any  our  access  blame ; 
When  close  at  His  feet  the  saved  are  met. 

He  will  know  us  all  by  name. 


anti  Sacreli  Ballalis.  155 


"  0  wretched  jnan  that  I  am  !  ivho  shall  deliver  me 
frojji  the  body  of  this  death  ?  *' 

THOU,  who  didst  bear  man's  grief  of  old, 
Receive  my  heart-sick  cry  ; 
O  my  great  Father,  I  am  bold 
To  speak,  let  me  not  die. 

Pity  Thyself  in  pity  of  me, 

For  Thou  dost  feel  my  moan. 
Assuage  my  grief,  it  paineth  Thee : 

Lord,  it  is  even  Thine  own.  -^ 

Thy  spirit  in  my  spirit  pleads, 

And  yearns  to  ways  upright, 
With  earnest  mourning  intercedes, 

And  moves  toward  the  light, 


Would  I  might  work  Thy  perfect  w 
But  sin  doth  yet  endure ; 

And  Thou  continuest  holy  still, 
I  know  that  Thou  art  pure. 


1  In  all  tlieir  affliction  He  was  afflicted. 


156  f^cilg  Songs,  dTaroIss, 

Father,  I  hate  myself,  —  but  Thou 

Canst  love  my  ruin'd  race, 
And  fain  didst  spare  heaven's  rightful  heir 

To  win  us  to  His  place. 

My  soul  admires  at  His  great  love, 

His  travail  sore  to  fill 
With  ransom'd  men  the  courts  above. 

O  let  Him  have  His  will. 

Let  not  ought  rob  Thine  only  Son, 

Nor  foil  Thy  great  decree. 
Father  of  mercies,  all  is  done  — 

Well  done,  and  perfectly. 

Fain  would  I  walk  as  He  did  walk, 

In  ways  sincere  and  sure, 
Holy  in  mind,  in  deed,  in  talk 

Made  pure,  as  He  is  pure. 

Content  Him,  save  and  set  me  free. 
His  wounds  are  not  made  whole. 

Till  in  high  heaven  Thou  let  Him  see 
Of  the  travail  of  His  soul. 


anti  Sacrtti  Ballalis,  157 


PALM    SUNDAY. 

^^  And  ye  shall  take  y  on  on  tJie  first  day^  the  boughs  of 
goodly  trees ^  brajicJies  of  palm  trees  f 

AS  on  this  Jay  in  the  times  of  yore, 
A  King  forth  fared  to  His  wond'rous  ride  ; 
And  a  multitude  that  went  before, 
And  a  multitude  that  follow'd  cried, 

"  Hosanna." 

They  spread  their  garments  beneath  His  feet, 
And  straw'd  green  palms  on  the  rock-hewn  way; 
"Great  Son  of  David,"  in  greeting  sweet, 
"  Blessed  art  Thou,"  they  did  sing  and  say ; 

"  Hosanna." 

Lo,  when  He  mark'd  from  the  mount's  descent 

Beautiful  Salem  in  all  her  pride, 
Under  the  olives  He  weeping  went, 

While  bearing  their  palms  her  children  cried, 

"Hosanna." 

Mourner  and  Monarch,  Thy  tears  are  dry ; 

But  the  song  of  the  palms  shall  ne'er  be  o'er, 
For  the  multitudes  yet  following  cry, 

As  the  multitude  gone  on  before, 

"Hosa-na." 


158  ?^Dlg  Songs,  Carols, 


THE  SAVIOUR'S    MESSAGE  TO  THE  ISLANDS 
CONCERNING  ISRAEL. 

Isaiah  xlix.  to  ver.  23,  and  Ix.  9. 

"  IJsteTi^  O  isles,  tmto  MeJ^ 

LISTEN,  O  Isles,  unto  Me, 
And  hearken  ye  people  from  far, 
I  was  hid  in  the  hand  of  My  God, 

I  was  sent  with  the  light  of  a  star ; 
I  was  shown  unto  Israel,  His  choice. 

But  they  would  not  their  Light  I  should  be ; 
Then  I  said,  "  I  have  labour'd  in  vain  ;  " 
Yet,  surely,  My  work  is  with  Thee. 
Listen,  O  Isles,  unto  Me. 

And  He  said,  yea,  My  Holy  One  said, 

"  Should'st  Thou  serve  Me  for  Israel  alone  ? 
Nay,  truly  it  is  a  light  thing. 

Thou,  only  begotten.  My  Son, 
To  the  ends  of  the  earth  Thou  shalt  save. 

Thou  shalt  reign  in  the  realm  of  the  sea  : 
For  a  light  to  the  Gentiles,  O  Son," 

Saith  My  God,  "I  will  also  give  Thee." 

Listen,  O  Isles,  unto  Me. 


anti  Sacrrt  Ballatis*  159 

''  I  have  heard  Thee,"  My  Holy  One  said, 
^'  I  will  give  Thee  for  Vv'orship  and  peace, 
To  light  the  dark  world  with  Thy  love, 

To  yield  to  Thy  prisoners  release  ; 
Thou  shalt  guide  where  the  watersprings  flow, 

And  w^ash  them,  and  let  them  go  free ; 
Their  hunger  and  thirst  Thou  shalt  bless. 

Who  hunger  and  thirst  after  Thee." 

Listen,  O  Isles,  unto  Ale. 

Sing,  O  heavens,  and  be  joyful,  O  earth ; 
But  Zion  with  dust  on  her  head, 
"  My  God  hath  forgotten  me,"  mourn'd, 
"  My  Lord  hath  forsaken  me,"  said. 

0  Zion,  and  can  I  forget  ? 
For  ever  engraven  shall  be 

Thy  name  on  the  palms  of  My  hands, 
It  was  graven  anew  there  of  Thee. 
Listen,  O  Isles,  unto  Me. 

Be  ready,  O  Isles,  for  My  day, 

The  ships  of  the  Islands  shall  wait. 

My  sons  and  my  daughters  to  bear 
To  the  land  that  of  old  I  made  great ; 

1  will  bless  them,  the  Isles,  I  have  said, 

"  Yea,  blessed,  O  Israel,  shall  be. 
Who  for  sake  of  My  name  and  My  love, 

And  My  life,  and  My  death  blesseth  Thee." 
Listen,  O  Isles,  unto  Me. 


i6o  ^^olg  Sonus,  (Earolg;, 


"  Your  gold  arid  silver  is  cankeredV 

IN  foul  and  cheerless  places 
I  sought  my  realm's  disgraces  ; 
The  poor  —  I  mark'd  their  faces  —  ill  they  sped ; 
Hard  by  the  forges  burning, 
And  by  the  great  wheels  turning, 
Behold  them,  grimly  earning —  their  bread. 

They  toil'd  amid  the  fire, 

The  deep  mines,  and  the  mire. 
And  won  not  their  desire  —  nay,  nor  ease  : 

But  trouble  to  them  cleaved 

Till  old  age  unreprieved. 
These  have  we  bereaved  — yea,  these. 

But  as  I  turn'd  me,  sighing, 

From  their  long  strife,  and  crying. 
Where  my  sweet  home  was  lying  —  fair  to  see, 

A  voice  mine  ears  received. 

The  words  of  One  that  grieved, 
''  Me  have  ye  bereaved  — yea,  Me.'' 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis.  i6i 

"  Break,  heart,  thy  brother  weepeth  ; 

And  One  the  record  keepeth, 
While  yet  the  judgment  sleepeth — heed  and  wake; 

His  want  thy  glory  fretteth, 

His  shame  thine  honour  letteth, 
Lest  God  thy  name  forgetteth  —  breaks  break. 

"  For  these,  my  brethren,  pleading 

I  lie,  down-trod  and  bleeding, 
And  ye,  my  wounds  unheeding,  pass  me  by; 

Till  having  lived  in  pleasure, 

In  quiet  and  long  leisure, 
And  heaping  up  of  treasure  —  ye  die. 

"  Your  gold  and  silver  rusteth, 

And  whoso  in  them  trusteth. 
His  own  soul  forth  he  thrusteth  —  heaven  to  flee;^' 

The  words  of  One  that  grieved,  — 

"  O  ye  souls  deceived, 
Me  have  ye  bereaved  —  yea.  Me." 


i62  Pfolg  Sonus,  Carols, 


(Hymn  with  a  Burden.) 
"  O  love  the  Lord:' 

AN  Island"  to  the  Lord  of  Hosts  :  — 
'^  Thou,  only  Guardian  of  my  coasts, 
In  Thee  the  Island  nation  boasts." 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 
"-  My  fields  Thou  hast  not  shown  a  foe, 
The  noise  of  battle  nor  its  woe, 
Nor  smoke  of  war  my  children  know. 
(I  love  the  Lord.)  " 

An  Island  to  her  King  divine  :  — 

^'  Good  is  Thy  reign  o'er  me  and  mine, 

Still  from  Thy  throne  upon  me  shine.'' 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 
^*To  bless  with  blessings  give  not  o'er, 
I  have  much  peace,  yet  ask  for  more,  — 
Give  peace  at  home  from  shore  to  shore." 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 


ant  Sacrrti  !3aIIati5,  163 

'^  Mould  Thou  men's  hearts  to  meet  their  creed, 
To  righteous  walking.  Lord,  them  lead, 
And  mercy  to  all  souls  that  need."  — 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 
"  To  dealings  just,  a  perfect  weight, 
And  in  their  homes  and  in  their  state 
To  gentleness  that  maketh  great." 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 


*•  Yea,  Thine  for  ever  be  the  praise ; 
Thou  wak'nest  in  these  latter  days 
More  longing  for  Thy  perfect  ways  ;  "  — 

(I  love  the  Lord.) 
'•  Fleming  by  morning  Thou  dost  hear 
The  sighing  of  Thy  children  dear, 
*  Thy  will  be  done,'  that  v/ill  make  clear.' 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 


"  All-hallow'd  soon  be  Thy  great  name, 

Of  such  as  yet  in  sinful  shame 

Lie  to  their  sorrow  and  our  blame." 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 
"  Wake,  thou  that  sleepest !  sing,  ye  dumb. 
His  goodness  is  an  untold  sum  ; 
Wake,  wake,  and  cry,  'Thy  kingdom  come.' 

(0  love  the  Lord.) 


1 64  ?^ol2  Songs,  Carols, 

"  Look,  Lord,  on  this  dear  Island  still, 
And  if  it  stand  in  Thy  blest  will, 
The  prayers  of  all  her  saints  fulfil." 

(O  love  the  Lord.) 
"  Yea,  though  her  peace  depart  away, 
Her  glory  sink  as  sets  the  day, 
O  teach  her  in  her  woe  to  say,  — 

(I  love  the  Lord.)  " 


antj  Sact£ti  Ballatis*  165 


A    REQUIEM. 

"  /  shall  go  to  him^  but  he  shall  7tot  return  to  7ner 

A  WORD  to  the  Greatness  on  high, 
Sustainer  and  source  of  our  breath  ; 
A  word  from  the  nations  that  lie 
Under  the  shadow  of  death. 

Thou  didst  show  Thee  a  Father  of  yore  ; 

Father,  we  bring  Thee  our  dead  — 
See  Thou  to  the  rest  evermore, 

Our  love's  last  and  utmost  is  said. 

Thou  didst  show  Thee  a  Saviour  divine, 
To  ransom  from  death  and  from  doom  ; 

Behold  now,  this  dead,  he  is  Thine, 
Laid  low  at  the  door  of  Thy  tomb. 

Thou  didst  show  Thee  a  Spirit  of  Life  \ 

Spirit !  O  look  to  Thine  own  \ 
Dast  is  for  dust,  —  in  the  strife 

Death  conquer'd,  heart  fail'd,  light  is  gone. 


1 66  J^olg  Songg,  Carols, 

The  clod  shall  lie  over  —  the  leaf 
Shall  sparkle  in  dew  o'er  his  head  ; 

He  is  cold,  he  is  deaf  to  our  grief  ; 

He  is  hid.     O  our  dead  !    O  our  dead ! 

Yet,  still,  Thou  great  source  of  our  breath, 
We  trust,  to  the  utmost  and  end  ; 

O  death  —  the  last  enemy  ■ —  death. 
The  dying  hath  Life  for  his  friend. 

When  Christ,  our  true  Life,  shall  appear, 
The  shadow  of  death  forth  shall  tiee. 

Thou  Life,  ever  blest,  ever  dear. 

We  have  trusted  our  dead  unto  Thee. 


anil  Sacrrt  Ballatis,  167 


'''For  Thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mijie  iniquity^ 
for  it  is  great P 

IN  great  London  as  I  walk'd,  and  day  was  dying, 
And  a  shifting  throng  unended  lined  the  street, 
O,  my  heart  it  fell  a  sighing,  fell  a  sighing, 

For  their  want,  their  burden'd  lives,  their  aching 
feet. 

Passing  on  for  whom  Christ  died,  for  whom  He  liveth. 
Whom  He  pleadeth  with  and  for  from  age  to  age ; 

Trifler,  mourner,  outcast,  erring,  though  he  giveth 
Thought  nor  care  to  his  great  hope  and  heritage. 

O  Thy  patience,  mighty  father  !     Dost  Thou  show  it 

]\Iost  to  them,  or  most  to  us  that  on  Thee  call  ? 
Saying,  "  Lord,  we  seek  Thv  wav,  and  vearn  to  know 

_    it;" 

While  these  others  whom  Thou  lovest  want  for  all. 

Want  the    light    and    air   w^here,  dank,    all    foulness 
dwell  eth, 

Want  the  fellowship  of  saints  their  hands  to  take, 
Crying,  '^  One  are  we  in  Him  whose  love  excelleth  ; 

Mine  is  thine,  and  I  am  thine  for  Chri.>t  His  sake." 


1 68  flolg  Sonss,  Carols, 

I  that  pray,  O  turn  to  labour  all  the  praying ; 

I  that  know  Thee,  let  me  know  that  I  may  do  ; 
Live  to  them  for  whom  Thou  diedst,  neither  weighing 

Life  nor  death,  for  death  shall  live,  but  days  are 
few. 

So  my  prayer  shall  rise  unshamed  to  Thy  pure  dwell- 
ing, 

While  the  child  of  shame  low  kneeleth  me  beside. 
With  Thy  other  sinful  children,  while  I'm  telling 

Thee  my  sins,  I'll  pray  Thee  thus  nor  go  denied. 


"  Some  love  darkness  more  than  light,  and  choose  it 
rather; 
Shine  and  turn  them  to  Thy  light,  and  they  shall 
see. 
Bear  the  burdens  of  the  poor,  O  tender  Father, 

Ease  the  hearts  that  want,  nor  know  their  want  is 
Thee. 

"  My  afflicted  God,  to  these  afflicted  yearning 

Liest  Thou  low  ?  then  bring  me  low  to  meet  Thee 
there  ; 
Give  me,  Christ,  Thy  poor  to  teach,  that  with  them 
learning 
I  may  reach  Thy  feet  and  hold  them,  Thou  All-Fair. 


anil  Sacuti  Ballalis.  169 

"O,  to  these  give  hope  in  life  and  peace  in  dying; 

Thou  hast  tasted  death,  Thou  knowest  all  its  stings; 
O  on  me  bestow  my  heart's  desire,  and  sighing 

Still  to  shepherd  them  for  Thee,  Thou  Shepherd 
King." 


I70  l^otg  Songs,  Carols, 


HYMN   FOR  EDINBURGH. 

"  The  Lord  is  7ny  light  a7id7?iy  salvation ^"^ 

BEAUTIFUL  for  situation," 
Favour'd  in  a  favour'd  nation, 
Is  she,  set  in  regal  station  — 
Britain's  northern  crown. 
God  has  many  saints  that  cry  in 
Her, —  as  doves  that  upward  fly  in 
Heaven's  high  dome,  their  prayers  they  sigh,  in 
Edinburgh  town. 

Prayer  He  casteth  not  behind  Him  ; 
No,  but  they  that  seek  shall  find  Him, 
And  with  cords  of  love  shall  bind  Him, 

Sweetly  to  come  down. 
Give  repentance,  Lord,  and  power. 
Double  her  desires  and  dower  ; 
Bless,  O  bless  in  this  good  hour, 

Edinburgh  town. 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatjs*  171 

Dry  her  tears  of  holy  weeping 
Over  souls  in  danger  sleeping, 
And  receive  her  to  Thy  keeping, 

Great  in  old  renown. 
God,  make  all  her  goings  fair,  for 
Thy  name's  sake.     Her,  ever  care  for. 
God  of  nations,  hear  my  prayer  for 

Edinburgh  town. 


172  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


ASCENSION   DAY. 
''He  was  parted  from  theni^  and  carried  up  i7ito  heavenP 

THOU  art  gone  up,  a  throne  to  share, 
Yet  doth  Thy  man's  heart,  even  there, 
Partaker  of  man's  yearning  care. 

Love  to  the  end. 
The  odours  of  Thine  incense  fill 
The  Temple  courts,  the  heavenly  hill, 
Offer'd  with  prayers  of  saints  that  still 
Thither  ascend. 


In  love's  sweet  suffering  Thou  dost  stand, 
Touch'd  for  their  tears,  Thy  pilgrim  band. 
Who  all  their  griefs  in  this  dark  land 

To  Thee  commend  \ 
And  mourn,  nor  think  their  heavenward  quest 
Answers  the  yearning  of  Thy  breast. 
Till  they  to  Thee,  Who  art  their  rest, 

Thither  ascend. 


anl3  Sacreti  Ballatis.  173 

Blest  Lamb  of  God,  for  sinners  slain, 
Wounded  Thou  art  full  oft  again, 
For  such  as  fruitless  still  remain, 

Or  wanderers  wend  ; 
Or  like  another  Eve,  the  tree 
Forbidden,  aye  desiring  see, 
Nor  heart  and  mind  in  heaven  —  to  Thee, 

Thither  ascend. 

Spare  2LS  this  sin,  this  evil  part, 
To  wound  again  Thy  sacred  heart ; 
But  still  to  draw  us  where  Thou  art. 

Priest,  Saviour,  Friend, 
Make  bright  Thy  stars — Thy  churches  seven 
Full  fill  with  Thy  celestial  leaven. 
Till  all  the  saints  with  hearts  in  heaven 

Thither  ascend. 


174  ?^Ql2  'Songs,  Carols, 


*^  Unto  Thee^  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  S07il.^^ 


T' 


^HEE  my  soul  desires, 
Thee  my  heart  admires, 
Crown'd  Messiah,  slain  ere  sin  began  ; 
All  my  ways  confess  Thee, 
And  my  mouth  shall  bless  Thee, 
Mighty  son  of  Mary  —  God  with  man. 

Once  a  soul  unheeding, 
Pass'd  Thee,  Jesus,  bleeding; 

I  was  that  poor  soul.     Thou  pitiedst  me. 
Now,  Thy  mourner,  weeping, 
Vow'd  to  Thy  blest  keeping  ; 

I  am  Thy  poor  friend  that  loveth  Thee. 

If  my  short  day  waneth, 

Lord,  Thy  light  remaineth  ; 
I  shall  see  it  though  my  sun  decline ; 

Sun  of  my  salvation, 

Star  of  consolation, 
Bright  and  morning  Star,  arise  and  shine. 


anti  Sacrcti  Ballatis.  175 

Thee  my  soul  desires, 

Thee  my  heart  admires, 
Crown'd  ^Messiah,  slain  ere  sin  began  ; 

All  my  ways  confess  Thee, 

And  my  heart  shall  bless  Thee, 
Mighty  Son  of  ^^lary  —  God  v»'ith  man. 


176  f^olg  Sonp,  Carols, 


"  They  went  forth  to  7neet  the  Bridegroom?'* 

THAT  precious  oil  we  bought  of  Thee, 
O  Bridegroom,  watch'd  for  in  the  night, 
Let  not  its  use  and  spending  be 
Only  to  keep  our  lamps  alight, 

That  we  by  Thee  a  place  may  win. 

No,  grant  us  still  some  light  to  shed, 
Lord,  when  Thy  feet  are  entering  in. 

On  the  dark  dust  where  Thou  wilt  tread. 

And  while  Thou  tarriest  let  us  take 
Their  shining  for  our  joy  —  Thy  grace 

To  burn  and  burn,  for  pure  love's  sake, 
Spent  with  aspirings  for  Thy  face. 

Look,  Father,  down  from  Thy  steep  heights. 
Speak  gently  on  the  great  white  throne, 

"  I  bless  their  moving  cresset  lights, 
Who  watch  afar  for  My  dear  Son." 

Lean  over  from  the  golden  wall, 
O  Christ,  of  all  our  hopes  the  sum, 

And  list,  so  piercing  sweet  the  call, 

"Thy  kingdom  come,  Thy  kingdom  come/' 


anti  Sacreti  iJallatis,  177 


*•'  And  He  said  unto  Jiijn^  What  is  thy  7ia7ne  f  and  he 
said,  Jacob. ^"^ 

WHILE  his  God,  th'  Almighty  Lord, 
Jacob  cried  on,  by  the  ford, 
In  a  moonless  midnight  dim ; 
Suddenly  took  hold  on  him 
A  greatness,  that  he  could  not  scan, 
.    A  Majesty  that  was  a  man. 

Now  was  he  in  evil  case. 

His  sins  look'd  him  in  the  face  ; 

All  his  soul  was  dark  with  fear 

Of  God's  silentness  austere  ] 

Strife  till  dawn  —  and  cometh  then, 

Esau,  with  four  hundred  men. 

Esau,  to  avenge  his  wrong, 
"  O,  the  blessing  trusted  long  ] 
For  its  cause  I,  banish'd,  bann'd, 
Sojourn'd  in  an  alien  land  ; 
Now  I  feel  Thy  frown  divine. 
That  teacheth  me,  it  is  not  mine.'* 
12 


178  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

With  the  Wrestler  striving  sore, 
Still  he  cries  on  God  the  more, 
"  Wilt  Thou  —  Wilt  Thou  me  forgive  ?  " 
But  none  answering  bids  him  live. 
How  shall  he  his  cause  make  good, 
One  of  God  and  man  withstood. 

How  !  —  O  Wrestler,  hid  from  sight, 
Only  yet  reveal'd  by  night. 
If  thy  nature  learn'd  at  length 
He  took  hold  upon  thy  strength, 
Thou,  and  none  but  Thou,  canst  know 
Who  said  sweetly,  ''  Let  me  go." 

Nay,  no  other  help  is  nigh. 
If  he  fail  he  can  but  die  ; 
Turned  to  mourning,  and  to  woe. 
Is  the  birthright  bought  below  ; 
For  the  blessing  falsely  won. 
He,  at  dawn,  shall  be  undone. 

"  Wherefore  comest  Thou  then  by  night, 
Ere  Thy  time  ?     Thyself  Thy  might 
To  me  yielding  —  till  that  fail. 
Wrestler,  how  should'st  Thou  prevail  ? 
Till  Thou  me  forgiveness  show, 
I  will  never  let  Thee  go. 


anil  Sarreti  Ballatis,  179 

"  I  confess  to  Thee  my  name, 
All  its  meaning,  all  its  blame ; 
From  its  miser}'  set  me  free. 
And,  departing,  bless  Thou  me, 
For  on  whom  Thy  blessings  rest, 
He,  I  wot,  indeed  is  blest.'' 

So  He  bless'd  him  there  — and  day 
Dawn'd,  —  the  Wrestler  went  His  way. 
Night  to  noon,  and  noon  to  night. 
Still  He  yields  mankind  His  might ; 
Wrestling  Love  He  wills  to  fail, 
O  my  soul,  thou  shalt  prevail ! 

Note  4. 


i8o  f^olg  .Songs,  Carolg;, 


"  He  doeth  all  things  wellP 

THOU  hast  been  alway  good  to  me  and  mine 
Since  our  first  father  by  transgression  fell. 
Through  all  Thy  sorest  judgments  love  doth  shine  - 
Lord,  of  a  truth,  Thou  doest  all  things  well. 

Thou  didst  the  food  of  immortality 

Compass  with  flame,  lest  he  thereto  should  win. 
But  what  ?  his  doom,  yet  eating  of  that  tree, 

Had  been  immortal  life  of  shame  and  sin  ! 

I  would  not  last  immortal  in  such  wise  ; 

Desired  death,  not  life,  is  now  my  song. 
Through  death  shall  I  go  back  to  Paradise, 

And  sin  no  more  —  Sweet  death,  tarry  not  long  ! 

One  did  prevail  that  closed  gate  to  unseal. 
Where  yet  th'  immortalizing  tree  doth  grow ; 

He  shall  there  meet  us,  and  once  more  reveal 
The  fruit  of  life,  where  crime  is  not,  nor  woe. 


antj  Sacrcli  Ballatis.  i8i 


^''Righteous  art  Thou,  O  Lord,  when  I  plead  with  Thee^ 
yet  let  7ne  talk  with  Thee  of  Thy  jtidginents.'''' 


'^  T~\  ARK  is  my  place  and  chill  the  night, 

J_y    No  fire  have  I,  nor  candlelight ; 
Come  down,  make  good  to  me  Thy  word, 
O  humble  and  right  piteous  Lord. 
Like  to  a  shadow  my  days  are  gone, 
Me  in  this  dimness  shine  upon, 
Bring  back  the  shadow  in  my  sight,  — 
Let  there  be  light,  let  there  be  light. 


'^  Righteous  art  Thou  —  and  I  am  poor. 
And  know  not  good,  but  long  endure ; 
I  charge  it  not  on  Thee,  blest  Lord, 
Enough  for  all  Thy  fields  afiford  ; 
But  some  have  much  and  other  none. 
The  weak  are  robb'd,  the  mean  undone, 
And  Thou  abidest  holy  and  strong,  — 
O  Lord,  how  long  .^  O  Lord,  how  long  ? 


i82  ?^ol2  Songs,  Carols, 

"  There  be  who  care  not  for  Thy  grace, 
And  hide  them  from  Thy  frowning  face ; 
If  they  oppress,  O  Lord,  forgive ; 
But  what  of  them  that  in  Thee  live  ? 
Oft  pray  Thy  rich  for  us,  yet  hold 
The  mastery  and  increase  with  gold, 
And  we,  as  roots  dried  up  past  date, 
Lie  desolate,  lie  desolate. 


"  Righteous  art  Thou  ;  and  they  are  Thine, 
They  counsel  us  in  words  divine ; 
But  there  is  no  meat  and  no  meal, 
And  scant  is  work,  and  far  is  weal. 
Wandering  I  go  of  hunger  led. 
Hither  and  thither  seeking  bread  ; 
Ay,  tossing  like  the  salt  sea  foam. 
Till  I  go  home,  till  I  go  home. 


*'  Come  down  and  sup  with  Thy  poor  friend 

That  is  sore  troubled  ;  to  me  lend 

A  little  comfort.     Nay,  good  Lord, 

Be  not  displeased  —  put  up  Thy  sword  ; 

It  shall  be  as  Thou  wilt  with  me. 

Only  Thy  goodness  let  me  see  ; 

Shine  out  and  show  in  sweet  advance, 

Thy  countenance.  Thy  countenance." 


anti  Sacrei  Ballalis*  183 

"  Peace,  thou  poor  soul^  thy  Lord  is  nigh  — 
Judge  not  My  rich,  I  judge,  even  I  j 
Pray,  rather,  pray  for  them,  and  weep, 
For  trouble  cometh  and  shall  not  sleep  j 
But  I  have  chosen  the  poor  to  make 
Heirs  of  My  God,  for  Mine  own  sake  ; 
Ay,  thou  hast  all  !  (O  well  is  thee  !) 
For  thou  hast  Me,  for  thou  hast  Me." 


i84  l^cilg  Songg,  ffiarolg, 


PRAYER  AGAINST  THE  GREAT  SEPARATION. 

"  O  that  Ishmael  might  live  before  Thee?'' 

WHEN  T  from  all  I  love  apart 
Am  offering  up  my  chasten'd  heart ; 
To  Thee,  O  Lord,  I  make  my  moan, 
Save  not,  O  save  not  me  alone. 

Lord  God,  in  misery  for  my  whole, 
How  am  I  saved,  if  I  am  sole, 
My  very  self,  my  children  dear, 
Without  a  part  in  Thy  sweet  fear. 

Yea,  my  most  loved  ;  —  yet  Thou  art  love  — 
Hear  me,  I  come  Thy  heart  to  prove, 
With  long  desire  and  waiting  faint, 
Opening  my  grief  and  my  complaint. 

Where  art  Thou,  Lord  ?     I  cannot  rest 
Till  mine  with  me  are  wholly  blest ; 
My  need  is  now,  my  prayer  is  now  — 
Where  art  Thou,  Lord,  why  tarriest  Thou? 


anl3  <Sacr£tJ  23allatis,  185 

I  ask  but  for  a  promised  good  ; 
Is't  for  my  sins  I  am  withstood  ? 
Search  me,  O  God  ;  behold,  and  see 
If  ought  of  evil  cleave  to  me. 

'Tis  even  so  —  it  must  be  so, 
Yet  will  I  ne'er  my  hope  forego ; 
Nay,  but  I'll  rise  to  regions  higher, 
Fultil,  O  Christ,  Thine  own  desh'e  — 

And  His  that  sent  Thee.     Let  Him  rest 
Satiate  with  peace  upon  Thy  breast ; 
Let  the  souls  enter,  many,  and  live  — 
Great  Father  ;  —  give  to  Him  —  O  give. 

Yes,  when  I  sink  Thou  makest  me  'ware 
They  are  not  left  to  my  poor  prayer  ; 
I  move  Thee  to  Thine  own  intent 
To  bring  these  souls  from  banishment. 

0  Lord,  My  God,  let  it  be  soon, 
My  sun  declineth  from  its  noon  ; 
But  what !  I  know  they  shall  be  blest, 
I'll  dare  with  Thee  to  leave  the  rest. 

Although  the  valley  clods  be  spread 
First  over  mine  uncrowned  head, 

1  know^  salvation  they  shall  see, 

I  trust  my  best-beloved  with  Thee. 


1 86  f^Glg  Snugs,  Carols, 


PRAYER  AGAINST  THE  GREAT  SEPARATION. 

*'  God  is  loveP 

SINCE  in  Thy  likeness  man  was  made, 
Love  perfect,  changeless,  undecay'd, 
Man's  heart  looks  upward  to  Thy  throne, 
His  part  in  Thee  desires  its  own. 

I  walk  in  darkness,  in  the  night ; 
Thou  only,  Thou  canst  give  me  light ; 
The  soul  of  love  doth  on  Thee  call, 
Who  art  love's  source,  its  end,  its  all. 

Master  of  love,  O  pity  me  ! 
Whose  love  is  what  I  have  of  Thee ; 
Shall  one  come  in  —  one  ever  left. 
Divided,  darken'd,  lost,  bereft  ? 

Could  I  forget?     Thine  own  heart  knows, 
Love  is  remembrance,  and  love  grows. 
Wilt  Thou  but  one  Thy  life  afford  ? 
O,  that  be  far  from  Thee,  Good  Lord. 


anti  SamtJ  Ballalis.  187 

Could  I  forget,  albeit  on  high  ? 
Nay  ;  but  I'll  trust  Thee.     Heed  my  cry, 
Thou  wondrous  God,  who  once  did  know 
For  Love's  best  sake,  Love's  deepest  woe. 

Who  once  for  thirty  years  and  three 
(Love  sent  from  heaven)  sustain edst  Thee 
Apart,  and  knew  as  seem'd  Thee  good, 
Mysterious,  awful  solitude. 

By  that  dread  parting  I  implore  ; 
By  that  great  meeting,  more,  Lord,  more ; 
Thou  triune  God  upon  the  throne, 
Remember  such  as  pray  alone. 

Remember  why  Thou  didst  so  part 
With  the  great  Son  of  Thy  great  heart, 
And  not  for  ever,  Lord,  decree 
Division  betwixt  mine  and  me. 

0  Lord  of  love.  Thou  canst  not  fail, 
Thy  passion  doth  of  right  prevail, 
And  Thou  art  willing  —  I  will  rest 
On  the  wide  bounty  of  Thy  breast. 

1  do  believe  at  home,  forgiven. 

That  both  shall  see  Thy  face  in  heaven ; 
Accepted  in  Thy  love's  abode. 
And  satiate  with  the  peace  of  God. 


I^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


a  jjr  j'jiQii^  canst  believe  ;  all  things  are  possible  to  him 
that  believethJ'^ 


I    SIT  before  Him,  and  it  draws  to  night, 
But  now  with  new-born  hope  I'll  wait ; 
For  some  have  learn'd  that  yet  He  giveth  sight, 
Who  heal'd  the  poor  blind  beggar  desolate. 

0  Son  of  David,  in  Thy  mercy  great, 

Hear  me,  that  I  may  thank  Thee  for  like  grace ; 
O  Light,  Light,  Light, 
Of  old  one  blind,  believed,  and  saw  Thy  face, 
Light  of  the  world,  Lord  Christ,  compassionate. 

1  do  not  ask  Thee  for  my  poor  dimm'd  eyes, 
Only,  that  they  may  sec  the  sun  ; 

Give  pardon,  Christ,  give,  give  in  anywise, 
The  light  within,  the  better  day  begun  ; 

Tell  me  Thou  lov'st  me,  and  Til  kiss  the  rod, 
Then  give,  what  Thou  wilt  give  to  me  undone ; 
O  God,  God,  God, 

Rise  on  my  darken'd  soul,  in  pity  rise, 
Helper  and  Llealer,  God,  my  holy  one. 


mti  SamtJ  Ballati^. 


All  things  are  possible  to  Thy  great  might ; 

'Tis  not  new  things  that  I  would  know, 
Give  the  old  faith  to  trust  and  crave  aright, 

Lord,  'tis  but  eighteen  hundred  years  ago 
(One  day  with  Thee)  since  Thou  gav'st  many  sight ; 

Pray  with  me,  O  my  friends,  that  I  may  see  ; 
O  Light,  Light,  Light, 
Give  me  but  faith,  I  look,  I  wait  for  Thee, 

Light  of  the  world,  Lord  Christ,  that  healeth  me. 

As  in  an  unknown  tongue  Thy  speech  I  heard, 

Thy  promise,  "  If  thou  canst  believe  ;  " 
But  now  my  soul  mounts  up  to  meet  the  word, 

Now  I  restrain  Thee  not  —  I  will  receive, 
Embrace,  desire,  expect  the  gift  downtrod 

And  doubted,  —  God,  if  now  Thy  will  it  be  ; 
O  God,  God,  God, 
Thou  knowest  the  light  is  sweet,  I  cry  to  Thee, 

Who  gavest  the  light  of  life,  give  light  to  me. 


190  f^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


EARLY   QUESTIONS    OF   THE   CHURCH. 

"  Master^  where  dwellcst  Thou  ?  " 

FROM  many  a  plenish'd  home 
They  sweetly  echo  now, 
The  early  quest,  the  early  cry, 

"Master,  where  dwellest  Thou? 
Where,  Master,  art  Thou  found  ? 

For  we  would  walk  with  Thee  ; " 
Yet  little  heed  the  answer  gains. 
Blest  answer,  "  Come  and  see." 


Where  didst  Thou  dwell  of  old  ? 

Oft  in  a  sordid  shed  ; 
The  poor  did  have  Thy  household  talk, 

And  earn  with  Thee  iheir  bread  ; 
But  some  that  are  Thy  rich 

Oft  seek  Thee  now,  and  fail ; 
They  climb  to  meet  Thee  on  the  height, 

When  Thou  art  in  the  vale. 


anti  Sacrc"ti  Ballatis*  191 

We  will  subdue  the  proud, 

The  great,  for  His  renown, 
"  We  will  go  up,"  they  cry,  '*  for  Him," 

But  no,  they  shall  go  down. 
Among  the  lost,  the  low 

There  shall  He  best  be  seen. 
Who,  when  He  touch'd  the  leper's  hand, 

Became  with  him  unclean. 


Master,  Thy  \vords  are  dark  ; 

Life  yet  her  secret  holds, 
The  mysteries  of  a  mourning  world 

No  voice  from  Thee  unfolds  ; 
Thou  openest  doors  in  heaven, 

But  earth  with  tears  is  wet  : 
Scant  bread  and  bitter  eat  the  poor, 

The  slave  lies  fetter'd  yet. 


He  saith,  "  I  am  not  dark 

To  them  of  base  estate, 
The  simple,  in  his  simpleness. 

Reads  all  My  strangeness  straight.'' 
He  saith,  "  The  slave  despised. 

His  life  makes  plain  in  !Me  ; 
All  My  hard  saymgs  suit  them  well, 

Whom  I  sink  deep  to  free." 


192  pjolg  Soncjs,  Carols, 

Leisure  He  giveth,  and  gold, 

Who  may  the  bearer  blame  ; 
But  He  had  all,  and  did  leave  all, 

Emptied  of  all  He  came. 
I  know  not  —  yet  methinks 

'Twere  sweet  from  all  to  wend 
So  once  to  walk  with  Him  the  way 

As  a  man  walks  with  his  friend. 

He  was  despised  ;  —  if  I 

Have  honour,  w^oe's  my  heart, 
I  will  Him  seek  and  share  the  shame, 

I  must  to  Him  depart. 
"  Master,  where  dwellest  Thou  ? 

I  fain  would  visit  Thee  ; " 
Hark,  hark  !  Himself  will  be  my  guide. 

He  answers,  "  Come  and  see." 


anti  Sacnti  Ballatis*  193 

EARLY   QUESTIONS    OF   THE    CHURCH. 
"  Is  it  I  ?  and  anotJier  said,  Is  it  / .?  '' 

^^  /^^NE  of  those,"  He  sigh'd  at  supper,  "should 

Vy  betray  Him  ;  " 

And  they  fear'd,  albeit  for  love  content  to  die  ; 
And  we  love,  but  lips  of  men  no  more  do  say  Him, 

Love's  desponding  words  of  wonder,  "  Is  it  I  ?  " 

"  Is  it  I  ?  "  with  Him  they  walk'd,  their  all  forsaken. 
Yet   against  their    own   hearts    turn'd    distrusting 
sore  ; 
Who  are  we,  and  what  are  we  ?   that  thought  should 
waken 
Such  a  dread  and  such  a  doubt  in  us  no  more. 

Still  all  confident,  all  calm  in  these  our  stations, 
Having  knowm  His  word,  we  name  Him,  not  afraid  ; 

But  from  age  to  age  He  moves  among  the  nations, 
And  in  souls  of  men  is  born  —  and  is  betray'd. 

Ay,  but  not  alone  o'i  aliens,  nor  the  stranger, 

But  the  angels  of  the  churches,  while  they  pray. 
And  the  saints  who  sing  in  peace,  nor  hear  of  danger. 
These  have  wrought,  and  these  do  love  —  and  they 
betray. 

13 


194  l^olg  Songs,  Carols, 

By  unkindness,  for  His  sake,  to  brethren  parted, 
By  the  casting  out  of  sinners  to  their  shame, 

By  the  folding  in  of  sinners  fouler  hearted, 

By   all   hard  things  done  and  said  in  His  great 
name  — 

And   for   Him,   by   narrow   thoughts   of    His   blest 
passion, 

Evil  envy,  words  untrue,  and  counsels  cold ; 
By  their  rising  who  should  stoop  in  lowly  fashion 

To  the  low,  by  lust  of  ease,  by  greed  of  gold. 

O  my  Master,  can  it  be  ?     Do  I  betray  Thee  ? 

Wash  me  clean  of  this  dark  stain  before  I  die. 
Give  an  answer  of  deep  peace  to  me,  I  pray  Thee, 

To  me  mourning  at  the  supper,  "  Is  it  I  ? " 


anti  Sarati  Ballatis,  195 


LISTENING  TO   THE  WAITS. 

"  Behold  ive  bring  you  good  tidings. ^^ 

DEEP  the  snow-drift  covereth  all, 
Stars  do  sparkle  as  they'd  fall; 
Hark !  the  waits  come  down  the  street, 
Heart  o'  mine,  their  news  is  sweet. 
Nay,  I  care  not  for  the  cold, 
Hearkening  thus  good  tidings  old ; 
"  Wake  !  you  friends  and  neighbours,  wake  ! 
Thank  the  Lord  for  Christ  His  sake. 


"  Count  not  our  good  news  outworn  ; 
Christ  as  on  this  night  was  born, 
When  to  God  the  tidings  came, 
Clustering  angels  heard  the  same ; 
And  He  sent  by  Bethlehem  town, 
As  it  were  an  handful  down. 
Saying,  *  Sing,  for  mortals'  cheer. 
Songs  myself  am  used  to  hear.' 


196  ^o\2  Sonss,  Carols, 

"  Joyous  on  their  mission  went 
God's  good  children  innocent; 
Blessed  creatures,  how  they  sang, 
All  the  moonlit  welkin  rang, 
'  Peace,  good-will  —  good-will  and  peace  ; 
This  poor  world  shall  find  release  / 
Friends  and  neighbours,  answer  make. 
Thank  the  Lord  for  Christ,  His  sake. 


"What,  and  will  you  wake  to  sigh  ? 
We  are  old,  we  do  but  die ; 
We  must  mourn,  our  children  sleep 
In  the  grave,  and  in  the  deep ; 
We  are  poor,  our  toil  is  drear. 
There  is  no  room  for  us  here  ; 
Peace,  you  wanting  souls,  e'en  so 
Fared  it  with  your  Lord  below. 


"  But  once  more  He  comes  from  God, 
Master  of  this  earthly  sod  ; 
Then  the  proud  shall  meet  rebuff, 
Then  the  poor  shall  have  enough  ; 
Then  the  mourners  glad  shall  be. 
Then  th'  oppressed  shall  go  free  ; 
Bide  in  hope,  He  comes  again, 
Sleep  and  rest,  He  comes  to  reign/' 


anti  Sacrcti  Ballalis*  197 

Hush,  adown  the  snow-clad  street 

Faints  away  their  music  sweet ; 

Jesus  Christ,  this  wintry  night, 

Stand  me  instead  of  warmth  and  hght,  — 

Nay,  I  care  not  for  the  cold, 

Waidng  on  glad  tidings  old  ; 

All  my  song  shall  henceforth  be, 

^  Well  is  me/'  and  "  well  is  me.'' 


198  J^olg  Songs,  Carols, 


"  Behold^  the  Judge  standeth  at  the  doorP 

HOW  dreadful  is  this  place. 
As  Thou  wert  far  away, 
I  slept  in  this  my  day, 
Nor  would  Thy  grace. 
I  wake  and  find  that  Thou  art  here, 
And  my  soul  melts  in  me  for  fear, 
Lord,  of  Thy  face. 

Thou  Judge  of  quick  and  dead, 
Now  hast  Thou  found  my  soul ; 
O'er  me  Thy  thunders  roll. 
Me  sore  bestead. 
O  how  shall  I  Thy  glance  abide, 
No  place  is  found  where  I  may  hide 
My  guilty  head. 

Lord  Jesu,  dread,  yet  dear, 
Thy  faded  eyes  are  sweet ; 
Low  at  Thy  pierced  feet 
I  sink  for  fear. 
O  suffering  Son  of  God  most  high, 
If  I  must  perish,  let  me  lie 
And  perish  here. 


anti  Sacreti  33aIIal33.  199 

Lord  Christ,  I  have  no  plea, 

Thou  knowest  my  guilt  is  great : 
Pity  my  lost  estate, 
My  misery  see. 
Absolve,  O  Lord,  my  sinful  soul ; 
None  can  forgive  and  make  me  whole, 
Jesu,  but  Thee. 


2 CO  i^oln  .^ongs,  Carols, 


"  Till  Christ  deformed  in  y  our 

I    WAIT  till  Christ  be  forai'd  in  me, 
My  heart  His  mortal  home  would  be. 
The  Labe  of  God,  and  Him  confess. 
Drink  of  my  cup,  and  reach  me  Thine, 
Ear  of  my  bread,  in  me  enshrine 
Thv  sorrows  and  Thv  humbleness. 


A  very  babe  that  crept  the  floor, 

His  stars  shone  through  the  open  door; 

He  gazing  wist  not  what  they  were. 
Partaker  of  our  milk  and  meal, 
When  those  His  mother  forth  would  deal, 

He  sweetly  watch'd  her  for  His  share. 


With  musing  long  my  heart  doth  yearn, 
The  silence  of  His  youth  to  learn, 

The  striving  that  His  soul  would  stir. 
By  faith,  by  searchings  and  by  thought, 
In  eastern  sheds  with  Him  IVe  WTought, 

Many  good  dap,  a  carpenter. 


20I 


^  rhild-God,  but  in  Hiy  face, 

\  G   l-man,  but  in  Thy  mien, 

F:r  I  r„ee;  on  the  strand. 

When  as  the  nets  were  drawn  to  land. 
Thy  humble  follower  I  have  been. 

O  Christ,  and  I  did  watch  wi.h  T.ee, 
In  the  garden  of  Gethsemane  ; 

Yet  after  I  denied  Thy  name. 
Yea,  and  amen — for  now  ir  v  :ti:s. 
God-man  that  saved  me,  al":  :  s. 

Fall,  for  Thy  worship,  ar :i         _  -i:::e. 

F:::  '      -         i; 

F:r  :  ;  :         -      :  ;  .     ;  .. 

Familiar  with  the  burial  myrrh ; 
My  name  was  writ  in  heaven  that  day. 
When  Thou  didst  Trarm  T!iy  sacred  day. 

And  break  :he  sr    r      r^jlchie. 


Tby  perfect  love  doth  cast  c 

T-  '    r  ss  long  my  t: 

I   v:  ^.  -r^d  draw  * 

A:  [-.  at  one 


202  J^olg  SouflS,  ffiarols, 


"  Blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen^  and  yet  have 

believed.'''' 


LORD  CHRIST,  the  river  is  so  cold  : 
None  see  beyond  the  gates  of  gold  ; 
Our  dead,  once  cross'd,  have  never  told 

Ought  they  have  found  there  ; 
Consider  us,  that  we  shall  go 
Alone  through  that  dark  river's  flow 
Soon,  to  the  land  we  cannot  know, 
Though  we  are  bound  there. 

We  see  but  in  life's  narrow  scope. 

For  Thee  we  search,  to  Thee  we  grope  \ 

Thou  art  Thyself  our  all  of  hope : 

O  make  hope  brighter. 
Make  'l^hyself  near,  make  Thyself  dear, 
Make  Thyself  strong  to  vanquish  fear; 
Make  Thyself  most  beloved,  here, 

So  dark  death  lighter. 

O  make  us  satisfied,  that  wc, 

Since  'i  hou  hast  cross'd,  shall  surely  be 


anti  Sacrcti  Ballalis^  203 

Partakers  in  Thy  life  and  Thee : 

Let  fear  have  ending. 
Albeit  that  sacred  voice  of  Thine 
We  did  not  hear  in  Palestine, 
Nor  see  Thy  risen  form  divine 

To  God  ascending, 

AVe  have  one  blessing  more  than  they 
Who  met  Thee  on  Thy  rising  day, 
Who  walk'd  beside  Thee  in  the  way, 

And  Thee  received : 
We  know  Thy  thought  to  us  did  lean 
When  Thou  didst  say  that  blissful  e'en, 
"Blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen, 

Yet  have  believed.'' 


204  f^olg  Sonrjs,  Carols, 


"  Christ  also  hath  S7iffered  for  sins^  the  just  for  the  un- 
just^ that  He  might  bring  us  to  God,  being  put  to  death  in 
the  flesh,  but  quickened  by  the  Spirit :  by  which  also  He 
went  and  preached  unto  the  spirits  in  prison;  which 
sojneti?ne  were  disobedient ^ 


AMONG  the  worlds  of  God  lay  one 
As  if  He  had  rent  it  from  its  sun, 
And  had  been  will'd  to  cast  it  far, 
Thrown  out  where  night  and  darkness  are. 
A  w^orld  unblest,  a  prison  dim, 
It  knew  no  visitings  from  Him, 
But  shook  w^ith  sighs  of  them  undone, 
Whelm'd  of  the  flood  they  would  not  shun, 
And  sent  where  th'  unform'd  billow  rolls  — 
The  sometime  disobedient  souls. 

Hark,  hark  !  a  cry  of  keen  acclaim, 

"  WHiat  is  Thy  name  ?  —  what  is  Thy  name  ? 

For  lo  !  into  their  midst  come  down 

A  spirit  with  a  shadowy  crown  ! 

A  marvel  from  the  dead  it  stands, 

All  alien  to  those  unblest  lands  ; 

It  speaks  —  unwonted  morning  breaks, 

And  the  adamantine  mountain  quakes. 


anti  Sacreti  Ballatis.  205 

We  know  not  more  —  but  let  that  be  j 
Is  anything  too  hard  for  Thee  ? 
Or  wert  Thou  at  the  end  of  grace, 
At  that  beginning,  in  that  place  ? 

AVe  trust  to  them  Thy  visit  came, 
For  healing  of  their  sins  and  shame  ; 
To  us,  who  learn  not  all  its  scope. 
An  opening  for  a  door  of  hope. 


NOTES   AND   EXPLANATIONS. 


Note  i. 

"  He  is  more  present  to  all  things  He  made,  than  anything 
unto  itself  can  be."  A  thought  expressed  by  more  than  one  of 
the  ancient  fathers. 

XOTE    2. 

This  hymn  is  an  attempt  to  versify  the  following  sentence  :  — 
"  How  wonderful  is  the  love  which  can  discern  the  love  of  God 
revealed  in  and  by  deepest  suffering,  and  which  rejoices  in  the 
love  in  spite  of  the  suffering.  '  He  took  the  cup,  and  took  the 
bread*  —  symbols  of  a  broken  body  and  shed  blood  —  and 
*  gave  thanks.'  "  —  yoicrnal  of  A^ormafi  Macleod. 

Note  3. 
"  My  heart  told  me  there  is  but  one  love."  — Lacordaire. 

XoTE  4. 

It  is  noteworthy  that  Jacob  does  not  get  the  better  blessing 
till  he  has  told  his  name,  which  is  in  fact  to  confess  his  fault. 
I  am  "a  Supplanter."  With  the  true  blessing,  which  God  {as 
his  Father  foreknew)  had  in  store  for  him,  but  which  he  would 
not  wait  for,  he  receives  a  better  name.  Having  confessed  his 
fault,  it  is  to  be  named  no  more. 


208  l^OtZQ, 


It  should  be  observed  that  in  singing  a  hymn  with  a  chorus, 
the  hymn  itself  can  be  sung  by  one  voice  or  many ;  but  these 
one  or  many  continue  to  sing  with  the  chorus  when  it  joins  in. 

Hymns  with  a  burden  are  sung  dividing  the  singers  into  two 
parties,  and  these  never  join. 

A  double  hymn  cannot  be  sung  by  less  than  four  voices,  the 
first  commencing  and  the  second  answering. 

Hymn,  page  ii8,  is  intended  for  an  adult  baptism  or  recep- 
tion into  the  Church. 


University  Press  :  John  Wilson  &  Son,  Cauibridj^e. 


^y^'p 


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